Podcasts about TVS

How is it that a political party which attracts its fair share of people who think there are women having babies just to get on the benefit, now thinks we should pay people to have more kids? It makes no sense to me. Its great we're talking about the birth rate problem in this country. But this isn't the solution. Because incentivising people with money would only have one outcome. More deadbeats bringing children into the world just so they can get their hands on money from the government. NZ First has come out with this policy becuase it says it's concerned about the declining birth rate and thinks people would have more kids if the government paid them $15,000 per child. Leader Winston Peters says the payments would be available to New Zealand citizens for up to three children, meaning families could receive as much as $45,000 from the government. Former Work & Income boss Christine Rankin can smell a rat. She's saying today the fact that NZ First would limit these payments to families where at least parent is a New Zealand citizen, means it's more anti-immigration than pro-family. And, like me, she sees it being something people would take advantage of for all the wrong reasons. Such as the deadbeats I've already mentioned. But also, she says, people struggling who would look at the chance to make $45,000 if they had three kids, see it as a decent chunk of money, and not think about the ongoing costs once the kids turn three and the government money dries up. Australia's already tried it. They started paying families a baby bonus in 2004 to encourage people to have more babies. The line the Australian government used at the time was “have one for your husband and one for your wife and one for the country". But it was scrapped in 2013. For several reasons. Their government realised it couldn't afford to keep it going. It was paid to anyone and everyone, meaning rich families who had kids got the money - even though they didn't need it. And the public didn't like that. The other reason it was dropped, is that people were using it to by things like big screen TVs and flash phones. The kinds of things new babies really need. And I can tell you now, the exact same thing would happen here. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

BB28 Why ___ Lost Week 3 Also available on YouTube. Jason was not brought into Big Brother 28 as one of the “Icons” and decided to go against them. That was not a great idea, but was it the ultimate cause of his downfall? Or was it more the way he went about it and his own admitted messiness? David Bloomberg and Chappell look at these issues as well as other factors as they discuss what contributed to him leaving our TVs so soon. Plus their thoughts on other happenings this week, from the tea party to Drew's position and more. At RHAP, we know Big Brother, and we know Why Jason Lost. Never miss a minute of RHAP's extensive Big Brother coverage! LISTEN: Subscribe to the Big Brother podcast feed WATCH:  Watch and subscribe to the podcast on YouTube SUPPORT:  Become a RHAP Patron for bonus content, access to Facebook and Discord groups plus more great perks!

BB28 Why ___ Lost Week 3 Also available on YouTube. Jason was not brought into Big Brother 28 as one of the “Icons” and decided to go against them. That was not a great idea, but was it the ultimate cause of his downfall? Or was it more the way he went about it and his own admitted messiness? David Bloomberg and Chappell look at these issues as well as other factors as they discuss what contributed to him leaving our TVs so soon. Plus their thoughts on other happenings this week, from the tea party to Drew's position and more. At RHAP, we know Big Brother, and we know Why Jason Lost. Never miss a minute of RHAP's extensive Big Brother coverage! LISTEN: Subscribe to the Big Brother podcast feed WATCH:  Watch and subscribe to the podcast on YouTube SUPPORT:  Become a RHAP Patron for bonus content, access to Facebook and Discord groups plus more great perks!

Greetings, bonjour, what's happeningWelcome to Lager TimeCouple more poems this week from my first book – The Suburban – The 2100 to No Where To Nowhere and Montage as part of the ongoing recording, to make into an audio book.2100 was published in the Rhyming Thunder Anthology from Burning Eye Books back in 2011 or 12 I think. Montage I rarely performed by we shot a video for it, at my mate Steve's old gaff in Kilburn, with the mighty Peter Hayhoe and his Muddy Feet GangHope you all enjoy the cooler weatherPeas and tatersPaulLINKSThe Suburban bookMontage VideoRhyming Thunder AnthologyAdult Entertainment Poetry gig on Friday 7th August @ Café Oto – 7PM – Dalston JunctionWhat We Do When We Can't Dance @ Theatre Royal Plymouth – 11th August @ Theatre Royal Plymouth – 5pmThe 21.00 to NowhereOne of several large flat-screen TVs blinks silently, rotating an incessant stream of updating information from the world of football and a few other sports which fight like pigeons over the remaining crumbs of coverage, muted to a theme tune of songs played over the PA, mostly belonging to a decade before. Lip-syncing Sky Sports newsreaders with Snow Patrol or Oasis becomes a game in itself. The many pillars of unofficial knowledge that often populate pubs, normally stood like dusty ornaments at the bar, will tell you the breweries pay less to PRS for the older songs, like it's some grand racket that none of us are supposed to be in on.This is no normal pub. Establishments like this one, with its sports screens, high bar stools and signed shirts in frames, will rarely produce such loyal patrons, due to the nature of the clientele they serve on a daily basis, for they belong in train stations. Suspending animation between places as people revolve as fast as turnstile gates on packed match days.Located conveniently between A and B, these are the types of bars which I never remember the name of, but chances are I'll know what beers they sell, how much they charge, and I'll quietly tut when I receive my change on a shiny silver tray with a receipt including the VAT breakdown and the bartender's name, which in this case is Pascal, not that we're on a first-name basis, and it's that lack of familiarity which appeals to me.With décor and furniture normally generic enough that even the most eccentric amongst us can blend in and become anonymous, it's in here I can quietly sip my beer and disappear. In here I don't exist, trapped between time zones for when I have no place to go. This soulless sports bar is a waiting room, where reason can consult my heart and pick apart my brain, or simply sit, sip and switch off.I watch as commuters come and go for a post-work drink. Some look as if they're biding their time before the big squeeze back to the provinces, towns of the type I grew up in. Tourists browse the expensive food menus in which oven-heated ready meals appear at the blink of an eye. Groups of lads and girls break journeys, downing booze at breakneck speed before they leave to presumably go on elsewhere to drink even more.If I sit here long enough, the merry-go-round of sports updates will produce a new piece of news. I might even hear a song I once liked. The few pound coins in the tray, the residue of a £10 note used to pay for a pint, may not even see the dark cotton cushion of my pocket, and may just be popped into the slot of a fruit machine, depending on how low I sink.Today I'm sat, about three feet off the ground, on this high stool, nursing an expensive pint poured by Pascal, and I will take my time. This bar is my camo-pattern jacket hidden amongst the leaves and, when I'm ready, I'll slowly slip off my stool and go locate my train.MontageYou wake up,you walk into the bathroom,you're wondering what's happened to your mate,your best mate.What's changed?You ain't seen him in days.You look in the mirror and wonder what's happened to your face.What's changed?You ain't shaved in days.Another line in your forehead appears,the gears in your imagination begin to grind,the light in your mind flickers and the film reels begin to rotate.Cue montage.Coldplay plays,your mate and his girl,arm-in-arm walks in the park kicking up leaves,feeding ducks in the pond,trips to the sea,trips to art galleries,joint shopping trips to Gap and H&M,his and hers, hers and his,sharing friends over drinks,mates are now friends, friends are nowours, ours ain't his, ours ain't you,dinner parties, dinner parties usingrecipes taken from celebrity chefs, expensiveA4 hardback conveniently rests on the clinically cleankitchen surface, strategically placed to make it look like itwasn't placed to imply taste,Sunday afternoons in gastropubs or in Starbucks, drinkingfrom huge coffee mugs held with two hands, then taking selfies,cheesy trinkets and cutlery,amalgamating diaries,middle-ground CDs,middle-ground DVDs,middle-ground being,feeling like carpet under your feet, hiding thecold hard damp scarred floorboards underneath whereskeletons of single ex-friends lie reclusefor choosing to refuse to wear shoes in place of trainersin order to gain entry into cheesy nightclub venues,continuing to smoke weed, consume lager, watchfootball and smash kebabs,still listening to hip-hop and underground dance music,still rebelling against chart music,still laughing when farting,still openly honest about porn use,still treading water in an ocean of self-loathing where theonly humane feeling that remains is the pain fromgetting salt in the wounds,still complaining about the day-to-day pursuit of pay andfeeling unfulfilled, that grates like an itch you can neverquite reach between the shoulder blades,lacking the kind of companion that will scratch it andrelieve it, then embrace you for all your insecurities,idiosyncrasies and imperfections and tell you that it will all be OK,chuckling in your ear, stroking your hair, kissing youon the cheek, then walking away, leaving her sweetperfume in the airspace as you look in the mirror, seeyour face, think of her and think, Shit,life's alright.Instead you see your face,your muggy unshaven face,and you think of your mateand you hope the prick is happy. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit cree.substack.com

Google wants you to use a selfie video for account recovery, LG will stop apps turning their smart TVs into residential proxy nodes, we disagree about how serious OpenAI’s agent hacking Hugging Face is, FreeBSD removes the last bits of GPL software and suffers an embarrassing git flub , and backing up to an encrypted NAS without ZFS. Plug Support us on patreon and get an ad-free RSS feed with some early episodes News/discussion Introducing selfie for sign-in: a new, easy way to access your Google Account LG to Ban Residential Proxies from Smart TV Apps OpenAI says its AI agent broke out of testing sandbox to hack Hugging Face FreeBSD 16 Retires The Last Of Its GPL Code From Its Base System Ports Repository Freeze Free consulting We were asked about backing up to an encrypted NAS without ZFS. See our contact page for ways to get in touch.

Google wants you to use a selfie video for account recovery, LG will stop apps turning their smart TVs into residential proxy nodes, we disagree about how serious OpenAI’s agent hacking Hugging Face is, FreeBSD removes the last bits of GPL software and suffers an embarrassing git flub , and backing up to an encrypted NAS without ZFS. Plug Support us on patreon and get an ad-free RSS feed with some early episodes News/discussion Introducing selfie for sign-in: a new, easy way to access your Google Account LG to Ban Residential Proxies from Smart TV Apps OpenAI says its AI agent broke out of testing sandbox to hack Hugging Face FreeBSD 16 Retires The Last Of Its GPL Code From Its Base System Ports Repository Freeze Free consulting We were asked about backing up to an encrypted NAS without ZFS. See our contact page for ways to get in touch.

In our last episode, we learned about Michelle Gessner's recent trial in North Carolina, where she was forced to pivot from a regular audio/video presentation, using modern technology, to a courtroom with no microphones, no TVs, no projectors and a single power outlet (already claimed by the clerk and the court reporter!). Click here to catch Episode 170 and hear the back story for today's episode. Michelle used AI to help adapt to this unexpected turn of events, asking it how to craft a visual presentation under these unique circumstances. Today, we learn how it unfolded. You could feel the courtroom change as the case progressed, and this was a quick trial: starting on a Monday, verdict by the end of day Tuesday. Literally two days. In fact, there were some assets to the old-school, analogue approach: better eye contact with jurors, fewer distractions, and more movement. Using what was learned from the focus groups before the trial, and the creative AI suggestions for presenting evidence, Michelle was able to correctly anticipate the jury's emotional reactions as the witnesses unfolded. With AI helping between trial days to make sure she'd met her burden of proof, Michelle then gave her closing argument with foam boards instead of any PowerPoint slides or technology. And the result: she won. If you want more trial prep strategies just like this, but in more depth and delivered straight to your inbox, grab my email newsletter that I send out each month: https://www.larricklawfirm.com/newsletter In this episode, we cover: How the visuals created with AI significantly engaged the jury. Focus groups provided valuable insights for trial strategy. How word choice is so important in your presentation. Closing arguments were enhanced by using visuals instead of technology. Remember to check out Episodes 128 & 129, featuring Michelle Gessner and her $21 million dollar verdict against Wells Fargo: Part 1 [Ep 128] Part 2 [Ep 129] You can also watch today's episode on my YouTube Channel: AI During Trial: Jury & Verdict. Part Two with Michelle Gessner [Ep 171]   Learn more about my guest Michelle Gessner: https://www.mgessnerlaw.com/ michelle@mgessnerlaw.com Michelle Gessner is one of the few lawyers, if not the only lawyer, in North Carolina who has both Big Law and Big Company defense experience, as well as 10 years of employee-side employment litigation experience, which she has been nearly exclusively handling since 2015.  Michelle possesses a deep understanding of the many challenges employees face dealing with wage theft and other illegal employment practices. Prior to its formation, Michelle gained extensive experience in all legal issues facing the retail, restaurant, and hospitality industries by serving as the Chief Litigation and Employment Law Counsel for publicly traded companies such as Family Dollar Stores, Inc. (FDO), Darden Restaurants, Inc. (DRI), Big Lots Stores, Inc. (BIG) and TriNet (TNET). Michelle also served as the SVP, General Counsel, and Chief Administrative Officer for Ovation Brands, a privately held $1 billion restaurant company. Follow and Review: We'd love for you to follow us if you haven't yet. Click that purple '+' in the top right corner of your Apple Podcasts app. We'd love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select "Ratings and Reviews" and "Write a Review" then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second and it helps spread the word about the podcast. Have a trial or mediation coming up and want to test with a focus group? Book a free consultation call with Elizabeth to learn more: www.calendly.com/elizabethlarrick Don't miss out on the Trial Lawyer Prep Newsletter that is delivered right to your email with extra tips and 'how to' information. Join the newsletter here:  www.larricklawfirm.com/newsletter

This week, I detail Comcast's Q2 earnings, which, for the first time in six years, showed Peacock had a positive quarter, with $189 million in EBITDA. This positive news was offset by the loss of 280,000 cable TV subscribers and 167,000 broadband residential customers, with total company revenue down 1.2% YoY.I discuss the news that Roku is raising the MSRP of its streaming sticks and boxes from $10-$50, depending on the model, noting that the largest portion of Roku's overall device unit volume comes from the sale of third-party Roku-made TVs by OEM partners, not Roku boxes.Finally, I detail the final FIFA World Cup viewership numbers from YouTube, Cazé TV, TikTok, Fox/FOX One, and Telemundo/Peacock, highlighting the different measurement methodologies used, and mention Telemundo becoming the exclusive U.S. Spanish-language rights holder for the next UEFA men's club competitions.Podcast produced by Security Halt Media

Chris Brunt of Jacobs Media joins me to talk about radio's 30‑year struggle with digital—from those first clunky station websites and primitive email blasts to today's sophisticated streaming, social, and video ecosystems.Chris explains how programmatic audio has become a major revenue driver, even for public and non‑commercial stations, by fitting into the broader “digital audio” story agencies are eager to buy. We dig into Facebook and social media, stressing the importance of FTC-compliant monetization and using tools like Ads Manager to serve clients without letting algorithms choke off our own messaging.And there's my favourite - the need to “be everywhere”: on apps, smart TVs, YouTube, and short‑form video, especially to reach under‑40 listeners who may not even own a radio. We talk about YouTube shorts, influencer-style content from talent, and why hyper‑local, community-focused video and podcasts can win even with modest follower counts. Chris also makes the case for stations building their own apps, embracing simple video setups, and prioritizing authentic, original digital content over perfection.Did you know that Jacobs Media creates apps for radio stations?This is another excellent resource if you are looking for some ideas for your station(s). Paul Jacobs and Chris Brunt with 10 Things We Learned Helping Radio Stations Generating Digital Revenue Please sign up for the SOUNDING OFF Newsletter. All the things that went unsaid on the show.Also we added the Sound Off Podcast to the The Open Podcast Prefix Project (OP3) A free and open-source podcast prefix analytics service committed to open data and listener privacy. You can be a nosey parker by checking out our downloads here.Thank you Megatrax for continuously supporting the showSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Consumer technology journalist and host of WGN Radio's Techishly Jenn, Jennifer Jolly, joins Bob Sirott to talk about a new update coming to iPhone and what we can expect from the next generation of TVs. She also shares details about back-to-school deals for students and how to use ChatGPT to create your student’s school-year schedule.

Kids these days have so many choices and they have a hell of a lot more safety than we did. We took a trip down memory lane and got a little nostalgic over the pinnacles of our childhoods; like giant metal slides, trampolines with no nets and rusting springs, planes with communal TVs... you get the pictureSubscribe on LiSTNR: https://play.listnr.com/podcasts/carrie-and-tommySee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

You plug in a new monitor. Windows detects the hardware, pulls down a vendor companion app, and the first thing you see is… a McAfee ad. That's the story that kicks off this episode, but the bigger issue is not just one annoying popup.Hardware setup has become a software delivery channel. Drivers, companion apps, RGB utilities, printer suites, vendor dashboards, trialware, telemetry, ads, and startup apps can all arrive through a process most users think of as “just making the device work.” Tom, Scott, and Kevin discuss where convenience turns into bloatware, why user consent matters, and how these trusted installation paths could be abused for worse than advertising.The discussion also covers a related Krebs on Security story about LG smart TV apps that allowed televisions to be used as residential proxy nodes. If monitors, TVs, printers, keyboards, and other peripherals are really networked software platforms, then consumers need to treat them more like endpoints and less like harmless appliances.Practical advice: check what gets installed after connecting new hardware, review Windows Startup Apps, uninstall vendor utilities you do not need, dig through smart-TV privacy and ad settings, and segment smart devices away from the computers and phones you use for sensitive work.Special thanks to Guardsquare for sponsoring this episode! Guardsquare is the leader in mobile application security, with multi-layered protection for your Android and iOS apps. Learn more at Guardsquare.com.** Links mentioned on the show **Tom's Hardware: Companies are now using automatic Windows installers to display adware through the Microsoft Store when you install new hardware https://www.tomshardware.com/software/windows/companies-are-now-using-automatic-windows-installers-to-display-adware-through-the-microsoft-store-when-you-install-new-hardware-customer-immediately-gets-mcafee-ads-on-their-pc-after-connecting-new-lg-monitor-heres-how-to-block-the-new-adsKrebs on Security: LG to Ban Residential Proxies from Smart TV Apps https://krebsonsecurity.com/2026/07/lg-to-ban-residential-proxies-from-smart-tv-apps/Hackread: LG monitors installing adware-like app on Windows PCs https://hackread.com/lg-monitors-install-adware-app-windows-pcs/** Watch this episode on YouTube **https://youtu.be/E-lsZbkbmI8** Become a Shared Security Supporter **Get exclusive access to bonus episodes, listen to new episodes before they are released, receive a monthly shout-out on the show, and get a discount code for 15% off merch at the Shared Security store. Become a supporter today by going to our YouTube channel's membership section: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCg9CCDIYkDDqwEZ3UYaxjnA/join** Thank you to our sponsors! **SLNTVisit https://slnt.com to check out SLNT's amazing line of Faraday bags and other products built to protect your privacy. As a listener of this podcast you receive 10% off your order at checkout using discount code "sharedsecurity".** Subscribe and follow the podcast **Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/SharedSecurityPodcastFollow us on Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/sharedsecurity.bsky.socialFollow us on Mastodon: https://infosec.exchange/@sharedsecurityJoin us on Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/SharedSecurityShow/Visit our website: https://sharedsecurity.netSubscribe on your favorite podcast app: https://sharedsecurity.net/subscribeSign-up for our email newsletter to receive updates about the podcast, contest announcements, and special offers from our sponsors: https://shared-security.beehiiv.com/subscribeLeave us a rating and review: https://ratethispodcast.com/sharedsecurityContact us: https://sharedsecurity.net/contact

Newer is usually better. Cameras, phones, and TVs have all improved dramatically over the decades. But there's one message John says was never in need of an upgrade: love one another. In this episode, we look at 1 John 3:11-24, where John contrasts the hatred of Cain with the sacrificial love shown at the cross, and shows how that love becomes evidence of a settled conscience before God.

On this week's show we look into our crystal ball to see what is on the Home Theater Horizon. We also read your emails and take a look at the week's news. News: 2026 Value Electronics TV Shootout: Samsung Snaps Sony TV Streak CarPlay video coming with iOS 27 WGA Seeks Injunction to Block Deal's Closing What is on the Home Theater Horizon Home theater technology is advancing quickly and the trend is moving toward wireless setups, brighter and more flexible displays, AI-powered calibration, immersive spatial audio, and simpler high-end installations. Today we take a look at what we can expect over the next couple of years. Displays: Brighter, Wireless, and Modular Ultra-thin wireless OLEDs: LG's OLED evo W6, also called the Wallpaper TV, is part of their 2026 evo lineup. It's incredibly thin — just 9 millimeters thick — and features a true wireless design. All your devices plug into a separate Zero Connect Box that can sit up to 10 meters away. The box then sends 4K video and audio wirelessly to the TV with almost no quality loss. The TV also includes Hyper Radiant Color Technology. This delivers much higher brightness — up to 3.9 times brighter than standard OLEDs — along with deeper black levels and fewer reflections. For gamers, it supports 4K at 165 Hertz, G-SYNC, and very fast response times. MicroLED and RGB advancements: MicroLED displays — including variants like Micro RGB or TriChroma — are becoming popular for luxury home theater setups. They deliver perfect blacks like OLED screens, but with much higher brightness, no burn-in risk, and modular designs that let you create custom sizes, such as 136-inch or even larger cinema walls. Brands like LG with their MAGNIT Active Micro LED, Samsung, and Sony are leading the way, offering seamless, cinema-certified picture quality. Consumer versions are still quite expensive — often six figures for a full wall — but they're becoming more realistic and affordable over time. Mini RGB: These TVs are poised to be a big hit because they combine the best of both worlds: the perfect blacks and contrast of OLED with the extreme brightness, longevity, and modular flexibility of MicroLED-style RGB technology. By using advanced Mini RGB LED backlighting, Mini RGB delivers stunning HDR performance, vibrant colors, and seamless large-screen designs ideal for luxury home theaters — all without burn-in worries. Sony's reputation for premium picture processing, cinema-grade calibration, and build quality gives their Mini RGB  a clear edge over competitors, making these TVs the top choice for serious enthusiasts who want theater-like visuals that will stay impressive for years to come. Projectors: Triple-laser UST (ultra-short-throw) and standard models dominate, with brighter outputs (thousands of ISO lumens), wider color gamuts (e.g., 110% BT.2026), Dolby Vision support, and 4K/8K capabilities. Examples include XGIMI Horizon 20 Max, AWOL Vision LTV-3000 Pro, and Hisense models. Laser is now the baseline for premium performance. Audio: Wireless Immersion and Modular Systems Wireless multi-speaker ecosystems: Dolby Atmos FlexConnect is rolling out more widely including the LG Sound Suite. This enables cable-free speaker placement with accurate panning. Sony's BRAVIA Theatre lineup (Trio, Bar 7/9, etc.) emphasizes modular wireless components with 360 Spatial Sound Mapping, phantom speakers (up to 24 channels), and room calibration. Advanced AVRs and processors: Denon, Onkyo, and others offer higher-channel support (9.4+), Dirac Live/Audyssey calibration, and AI room tuning. Multi-channel processors use Audio over IP for fewer wires in custom installs. Immersive extras: Haptic furniture, synchronized smart lighting using the  Philips HDMI Sync Box 2.1, and AI acoustic optimization for real-time adjustments. Other Notable Trends AI integration: Automatic calibration, content optimization, and adaptive environments including  room mapping for sound and light.. Hybrid/immersive rooms: 360-degree or wraparound video with spatial audio, plus premium formats inspired by commercial cinema (laser projection, higher baselines like 7.1+ with height channels). Lifestyle focus: Movable displays, aesthetically integrated speakers, mainly acoustically transparent designs, and easier setups for non-dedicated rooms. There are some exciting technologies shaping the next couple of years in home theater. Displays are getting brighter, thinner, and more flexible with ultra-thin wireless designs. High-performance UST laser projectors will bring huge screens to rooms where it was never possible before. And the shift toward truly wireless, immersive audio will fill any room with rich, room-filling sound. Best of all, your entire system will adapt to your room with the touch of a button!

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit claremontinstitute.substack.comFaced with ever-greater housing costs, Millennials and Gen Z are finding little comfort in the decreased price of luxury goods like TVs and phones. Despite traditional indicators, today's economic landscape is far grimmer than the one the Boomers faced. How will America bridge this generational disconnect to restore a sense of civilizational continuity?

The days of automatically upgrading your phone or computer every time it slows down are officially over. Clark breaks down why inflation and rising component costs mean tech prices are going "up, up, and away." Tech giants like Apple are raising device prices to protect their profit margins. While Clark has advised against sinking money into old electronics, the math has changed. Clark shares his rule of thumb for deciding when to repair versus replace, why TVs remain the one truly disposable tech item, and how to avoid the "free phone trap" being pushed by the big three wireless carriers. Also, Clark dives into the massive shakeup happening in the insurance industry. State Farm is facing major backlash from its own agents after dropping a hammer on their compensation models—a desperate move to compete in a market where they are losing ground. Hear which company has taken the lead by embracing a hybrid model, and what to expect buying online vs. with an agent.Plus, Christa shares your #AskClark questions and Clark gives his take. All this and more on the July 22, 2026, episode of The Clark Howard Show. Submit your questions: Ask Clark. Electronics: Repair Or Replace?: Segment 1 Ask Clark: Segment 2 Buying Insurance: Segment 3 Ask Clark: Segment 4 Mentioned on the show: The ‘right to repair' movement has a point, but consumers should read the warranty fine print first — The Conversation Why You Should Avoid These Free Offers From Verizon, AT&T and T-Mobile 5 Vacation Scams To Avoid This Travel Season - Clark Howard How to Shop for Lower Car Insurance - Clark Howard Best and Worst Homeowners Insurance Companies - Clark Howard Homeowners Insurance Archives - Clark Howard  State Farm's AI Plan for Sales Agents Sparks Uproar. ‘A Real Slap in the Face.' Is Accident Forgiveness Worth It? - Clark Howard  Clark.com resources: Episode transcripts Community.Clark.com  /  Ask Clark Clark.com daily money newsletter Consumer Action Center Free Helpline: 636-492-5275 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

AV Rant #999.9o: We Fight Diminishing Returns Value Electronics’ new King of TVs. The Odyssey in 70mm Film IMAX Review. Value Electronics crowned their new King of TVs for 2026. Rob saw The Odyssey in 70mm Film IMAX and shares his review. And if you missed it last week, check out our interview with Michael […] The post AV Rant #999.9o: We Fight Diminishing Returns appeared first on AV Rant.

You’re listening to American Ground Radio with Stephen Parr and Louis R. Avallone. This is the full show for July 21, 2026. We open with a 29-year-old Democratic Socialist named Milat Kiros who just defeated a 15-term congresswoman in Colorado's Democratic primary — with the backing of the DSA and Bernie Sanders — and who has told voters exactly what she believes: that America is exploitative and extractive, that ICE is a terror apparatus, that Israel's military aid should end, and that the existing world order needs a reckoning. We note that she arrived in America because her father won the U.S. diversity visa lottery — a program that saved her family from an Ethiopian civil war and famine — and that she earned degrees at Washington College and Notre Dame Law School on American soil. We are not speculating about her worldview. She has put it in writing. And she is one general election away from Congress in a district Republicans haven't won in half a century. We say what needs to be said: believe people when they tell you who they are. In our Top 3 Things You Need to Know, the federal government suspended $867.5 million in Medicaid payments to California and $199 million to Minnesota after CMS reviews flagged high-risk fraud in home health and other services — with CMS Administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz saying the administration is done chasing stolen funds after they've already left the building. Then New Jersey's Democratic Governor Mikey Sherrill revealed that a software glitch allowed 6,000 non-citizens to register to vote in 2023 and 2024, with 400 of them actually casting ballots — a story the governor got ahead of before the DOJ could, and one that makes the case for the SAVE Act more powerfully than any speech. And 100 New York state lawmakers sent letters to the congressional delegation demanding ICE be abolished — the same ICE that exists because Congress decided in 2002 that someone should enforce federal immigration law. We also cover the Trump administration's discovery that the federal government has been sending nearly $100 million per year to dead people — and has now stopped. The fix required asking one basic question: is the person we're sending this check to still alive? That question, apparently revolutionary in Washington, was answered by comparing 885 million federal payments against death records. Government doesn't have a revenue problem. It has a stewardship problem. Our American Mamas Teri Netterville and Kimberly Burleson debate whether they'd go back to old TV over smart TVs — and the answer is a resounding yes, for reasons that go beyond nostalgia. Streaming costs more than cable ever did, smart TVs are listening and tracking everything, you can no longer skip commercials, the content is ideologically slanted, and nobody can find anything. Teri misses Blockbuster. Kimberly misses the DVR. Both agree that horizontal screens make sense because human eyes are horizontal — and that vertical video on phones is a waste of the aspect ratio God gave us. We dig deep into former North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper's early release of 4,234 prisoners following an NAACP lawsuit arguing that incarceration is racist — a number that exceeded the 3,500 agreed to in the settlement and included 99 sex offenders and 24 people convicted of murder. Within five years, 2,412 of those released — a 57% recidivism rate — had committed new crimes and been rearrested, including charges of rape and murder. Among those released and later arrested for murder was the man accused of stabbing Ukrainian immigrant Iryana Zyrutska to death on a Charlotte train. Roy Cooper is now the frontrunner for the North Carolina Senate seat. We say plainly: we should stop rewarding failure. There are people dead in North Carolina today because their governor let violent criminals out of prison to kill again. We also cover the State Department's follow-up report confirming that Cuba is actively helping Iran, Hamas, and other jihadist organizations expand their influence throughout the Western Hemisphere — connecting the dots between communist Cuba's survival dependence on American adversaries and the broader axis of pressure being applied to the United States from multiple directions simultaneously. No single threat defeats us. Together, they create friction, consume resources, divide attention, and complicate national security. All of it from 50 miles off the coast of Florida. For our Bright Spot, Texas Representative Andy Hopper wrote a letter responding to a Mexican senator who demanded that Texas stop enforcing its border laws because migrants were dying trying to cross illegally. Hopper's response is worth reading in full — citing Texas independence, the Alamo, San Jacinto, and the sovereign right of every nation to determine who enters its territory. He also told Mexico directly: we will not accept border policy instruction from a government that has allowed cartels to dominate vast regions of its own territory. Abandoning enforcement would not save lives. It would guarantee the cartels more victims, more profits, and more power. We call it exactly what it is — a bright spot. We also cover New York City's welfare rolls hitting 865,000 cash assistance recipients under Mayor Mamdani — up from a low of 336,000 under Mayor Bloomberg — and note that a democratic socialist does not view this as a crisis. He views it as an achievement. We view it as what happens when you promise free things and then wonder why more people ask for them. We also discuss the case of a 29-year-old woman who died after a ChatGPT conversation that increasingly centered on themes of sacrifice, death, and resurrection — with the AI telling her she would need to die before becoming who she was meant to be. We make the distinction between a mentally healthy person who reads letting your old self die as a metaphor for personal growth, and someone already struggling with depression or delusion who reads it as instruction. AI is a language tool. It produces eloquent, resonant language. It does not know who is reading it. And we close with Scottish runner Josh Kerr breaking the world mile record in London — running the mile in 3 minutes and 42 seconds to break Hicham El Guerrouj's record that had stood since 1999, the longest anyone had held the official world mile record since records began. In front of 60,000 fans, a man ran a mile in the time it takes most of us to find the remote. May your pursuit of happiness bring you joy. Listen now wherever you get your podcasts, visit AmericanGroundRadio.com, and join the conversation at 866-AGR-1776!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What realistic minimalism actually is has almost nothing to do with stark white rooms and empty shelves. I own two TVs, a full board game collection, and a waffle maker that does exactly one thing, and I've practiced this lifestyle for the better part of a decade.This episode is the wide view of the whole philosophy, the realistic version built for a family of five with a toddler and a dog. If you've ever thought minimalism sounded nice but figured it was for people without kids, hobbies, or a real budget, this one was made for you.I adopted a practical minimalist lifestyle during one of the hardest seasons of my life, and it has given me more time, energy, and mental capacity than anything else I've tried. Kind of crazy how much your space can change things.✨Read the full guide, where every concept links to a deeper dive: https://www.miadanielle.com/blog/what-minimalism-actually-is-and-isn-tGrab a spot in my free masterclass, Break the Clutter Cycle!SEE MORE▷ Instagram▷ FREE: Declutter Your First Room Blueprint ▷ FREE: Clutter Roadmap QUIZ▷ The Mind Your Home Podcast on Apple

My guest today,  Michelle Gessner, joined the podcast back in December of 2024, where we discussed her $21 million verdict against Wells Fargo. Today she's back with the story of a recent verdict success in North Carolina, which suddenly hit an unexpected twist. The case was planned out to make use of high tech video equipment and software, as you would find in a standard, modern equipped court room. But then, it was moved to courtroom that had no technology; in fact, only a single outlet with extension cords. No microphones, no TVs, no projectors. Just old-school visual tools: easels, display boards, pen and notepads, and the projection of your own voice. So how does one pivot, and still incorporate the planned visuals and presentation? AI to the rescue! What was already a useful tool was now needed to address the extra challenge of creating courtroom visuals in a no-technology courtroom. Michelle and I explore how she started by using focus groups to find out weaknesses, then identified what needed to be visual, how to be visual under these unique circumstances, and ultimately AI's creative suggestions. And the focus groups were the key, providing critical demonstratives to bring to life the evidence very early in the case. If you want more trial prep strategies just like this, but in more depth and delivered straight to your inbox, grab my email newsletter that I send out each month: https://www.larricklawfirm.com/newsletter In this episode, we cover: How navigating a no-technology courtroom requires creative thinking. AI is a major asset in effective trial preparation, especially during sudden pivots. Using checklists can streamline witness examination. Objection-proof visuals are key to effective presentations. Remember to check out Episodes 128 & 129, featuring Michelle Gessner and her $21 million dollar verdict against Wells Fargo: Part 1 [Ep 128] Part 2 [Ep 129] You can also watch today's episode on my YouTube Channel: AI for Winning Courtroom Visuals: Case Study with Michelle Gessner [Ep 170]   Learn more about my guest Michelle Gessner: https://www.mgessnerlaw.com/ michelle@mgessnerlaw.com Michelle Gessner is one of the few lawyers, if not the only lawyer, in North Carolina who has both Big Law and Big Company defense experience, as well as 10 years of employee-side employment litigation experience, which she has been nearly exclusively handling since 2015.  Michelle possesses a deep understanding of the many challenges employees face dealing with wage theft and other illegal employment practices. Prior to its formation, Michelle gained extensive experience in all legal issues facing the retail, restaurant, and hospitality industries by serving as the Chief Litigation and Employment Law Counsel for publicly traded companies such as Family Dollar Stores, Inc. (FDO), Darden Restaurants, Inc. (DRI), Big Lots Stores, Inc. (BIG) and TriNet (TNET). Michelle also served as the SVP, General Counsel, and Chief Administrative Officer for Ovation Brands, a privately held $1 billion restaurant company. Follow and Review: We'd love for you to follow us if you haven't yet. Click that purple '+' in the top right corner of your Apple Podcasts app. We'd love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select "Ratings and Reviews" and "Write a Review" then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second and it helps spread the word about the podcast. Have a trial or mediation coming up and want to test with a focus group? Book a free consultation call with Elizabeth to learn more: www.calendly.com/elizabethlarrick Don't miss out on the Trial Lawyer Prep Newsletter that is delivered right to your email with extra tips and 'how to' information. Join the newsletter here:  www.larricklawfirm.com/newsletter

The second half of our streaming guide moves from services to the boxes, sticks, smart TVs, antennas, and oddball gadgets that actually get video onto your screen.Roku remains one of the most affordable and widely supported streaming hardware options, with both boxes and sticks available. It began as the original Netflix streamer, but today its biggest advantages are interface preference, ecosystem familiarity, and broad app support.Fire TV sticks and boxes make the most sense for people already deep in Amazon's ecosystem, especially if they use Prime Video and add-on channels heavily. The Fire TV Cube also gets praise as an easy “hotel-like” setup for guests, with strong voice-control features.Apple TV is the easiest recommendation for people already using iPhones, Macs, and iPads. Its ecosystem integration makes passwords, purchases, authentication, and playback smoother, and older Apple TVs can remain useful for years.Chromecast is gone as a hardware brand, replaced by the Google TV Streamer. It is a good fit for people invested in Google, YouTube, YouTube TV, and Android, though Google's TV hardware strategy has been less consistent than Roku, Fire TV, or Apple TV.The NVIDIA Shield TV remains the power-user option for gamers, tinkerers, VPN users, and people who want more control over their streaming box. It has not been substantially updated since 2019, but it still works well, even if it is starting to show its age.Game consoles can still stream video, but Sony and Microsoft have mostly moved away from treating them as primary TV boxes. The crew also gives a farewell nod to retired or fading hardware like TiVo and Microsoft's old TV ambitions.The Xumo Stream Box from Comcast and Charter may be worth considering for internet subscribers who can get it free or discounted. It can replace some traditional cable-box use cases while still offering access to streaming apps.Many viewers simply use the apps built into their smart TVs, and that can work fine as long as performance holds up. Samsung's Tizen, LG's webOS, Roku TV, Fire TV, Google TV, Vizio's SmartCast, and TiVo OS all get a rundown, with the main advice being to consider long-term speed, app support, and whether you may eventually want a separate streaming box.For over-the-air broadcast TV, devices like HDHomeRun and Tablo can turn an antenna into a networked live-TV and DVR system. Amos explains his HDHomeRun Quattro setup feeding Plex for local DVR recordings like Saturday Night Live, NASCAR, major sports, and local news during severe weather.Amos also points out that Alaska's over-the-air TV can sometimes be delayed or degraded because local signals are rebroadcast by satellite. That means streaming apps can occasionally be ahead of the antenna feed, proving once again that every “simple” TV setup has an exception hiding somewhere.The crew closes by talking about how they actually choose what to watch now that almost everything is available somewhere. Brian compares modern TV to a book-club experience, Tom breaks down different household viewing use cases, and Amos describes his viewing as deliberate, focused, and ad-free whenever possible.Website: https://cordkillers.comEmail: cordkillers@gmail.comLive Tuesdays at 5:30 PM Eastern / 2:30 PM Pacific: https://twitch.tv/nightattack https://youtube.com/modernrogue Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The second half of our streaming guide moves from services to the boxes, sticks, smart TVs, antennas, and oddball gadgets that actually get video onto your screen.Roku remains one of the most affordable and widely supported streaming hardware options, with both boxes and sticks available. It began as the original Netflix streamer, but today its biggest advantages are interface preference, ecosystem familiarity, and broad app support.Fire TV sticks and boxes make the most sense for people already deep in Amazon's ecosystem, especially if they use Prime Video and add-on channels heavily. The Fire TV Cube also gets praise as an easy “hotel-like” setup for guests, with strong voice-control features.Apple TV is the easiest recommendation for people already using iPhones, Macs, and iPads. Its ecosystem integration makes passwords, purchases, authentication, and playback smoother, and older Apple TVs can remain useful for years.Chromecast is gone as a hardware brand, replaced by the Google TV Streamer. It is a good fit for people invested in Google, YouTube, YouTube TV, and Android, though Google's TV hardware strategy has been less consistent than Roku, Fire TV, or Apple TV.The NVIDIA Shield TV remains the power-user option for gamers, tinkerers, VPN users, and people who want more control over their streaming box. It has not been substantially updated since 2019, but it still works well, even if it is starting to show its age.Game consoles can still stream video, but Sony and Microsoft have mostly moved away from treating them as primary TV boxes. The crew also gives a farewell nod to retired or fading hardware like TiVo and Microsoft's old TV ambitions.The Xumo Stream Box from Comcast and Charter may be worth considering for internet subscribers who can get it free or discounted. It can replace some traditional cable-box use cases while still offering access to streaming apps.Many viewers simply use the apps built into their smart TVs, and that can work fine as long as performance holds up. Samsung's Tizen, LG's webOS, Roku TV, Fire TV, Google TV, Vizio's SmartCast, and TiVo OS all get a rundown, with the main advice being to consider long-term speed, app support, and whether you may eventually want a separate streaming box.For over-the-air broadcast TV, devices like HDHomeRun and Tablo can turn an antenna into a networked live-TV and DVR system. Amos explains his HDHomeRun Quattro setup feeding Plex for local DVR recordings like Saturday Night Live, NASCAR, major sports, and local news during severe weather.Amos also points out that Alaska's over-the-air TV can sometimes be delayed or degraded because local signals are rebroadcast by satellite. That means streaming apps can occasionally be ahead of the antenna feed, proving once again that every “simple” TV setup has an exception hiding somewhere.The crew closes by talking about how they actually choose what to watch now that almost everything is available somewhere. Brian compares modern TV to a book-club experience, Tom breaks down different household viewing use cases, and Amos describes his viewing as deliberate, focused, and ad-free whenever possible.Website: https://cordkillers.comEmail: cordkillers@gmail.comLive Tuesdays at 5:30 PM Eastern / 2:30 PM Pacific: https://twitch.tv/nightattack https://youtube.com/modernrogue Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Making Of Evelina Smiles - SIXDelays, Profit Sharing, and the Week Before Everything ChangesIn this episode Ashley sits down with Dr. Rich Constantine for a look at what the final stretch before a soft opening actually feels like. Setbacks, systems, 300 patients on a priority list, and the first peek at how Rich thinks about rewarding his team.What You'll Hear in This Episode:The Weeks Leading Up to Opening Supplies delayed by the Fourth of July holiday. Design Ergonomics trainer flew in but not everything was ready. Certificate of occupancy and zoning permit still pending over a landscaping detail. How Rich is keeping his head right when things do not go as planned. His mantra this week: pressure is a privilege.Where the Building Stands Software integrated. Imaging bridged with practice management. Phones hooked up. Wi-Fi working. TVs up. Chandeliers hung. Interior signage still coming. Half the waiting room furniture arrived. Scanner still in transit. Soft open pushed back.Training and Systems CareStack boot camps underway. Admin team working through UCR fees, third party financing conversations, patient portals, and building out Q and A for the AI phone system. Say this not that verbiage in place for both front desk and clinical team. Written playbooks and binders being built from scratch before the first patient walks in.300 Patients on the Priority List Rich casually drops one of the biggest wins of the episode. How the landing page, social media, QR code signage, and periodic email updates built a pipeline of 300 prospective patients before the doors even open. What he is doing first when the phones go live and why he is keeping ad spend light to start so he can see what is actually working.Merch, Giveaways, and Branded Everything The T-shirt rabbit hole. Why Rich wants to do premium branded gear or nothing at all. Printful, Real Thread, BYLT, and Cuts all come up. Ashley makes the case for buying great shirts and just getting them embroidered locally.Profit Sharing vs Bonus Culture Rich opens up about how he thinks about rewarding his team. Why he calls it profit sharing and not a bonus. Clear KPIs, collective rewards, and why nobody gets money that is not there. The difference between rewarding people blindly and building a team that understands the numbers. And why you do not own a business if you have to be there for it to run.Connect with Ashley: Instagram: @ashleyjovesddsConnect with Rich: Instagram @dr.c_smiles or richconstantinedds@gmail.comThank You to Our PartnersNet32: The dental marketplace that helps practice owners stop overpaying for supplies. Compare and save at net32.com/themakingof.Studio 8E8 — Dentistry's story-driven growth agency for startups. s8e8.com/vslKasper Opportunity Finder: Fill those empty chairs and reclaim lost revenue with one click. Get it free at meetkasper.com/register.Support the showFind Out MoreThank you for listening to The Making Of podcast. If you enjoyed it, please share with anyone you think will gain value from the show by clicking on one of the sharing tabs above.SUBSCRIBE to our NEWSLETTER HEREAlso, please consider leaving an honest review on iTunes. It helps other listeners find the show, and I would be forever grateful.Questions or comments? Feel free to contact us at - themakingofadental@gmail.comFollow us on Instagram or Facebook and improve your dental practice every day!Have you subscribed? Don't miss a single episode!

The second half of our streaming guide moves from services to the boxes, sticks, smart TVs, antennas, and oddball gadgets that actually get video onto your screen.Roku remains one of the most affordable and widely supported streaming hardware options, with both boxes and sticks available. It began as the original Netflix streamer, but today its biggest advantages are interface preference, ecosystem familiarity, and broad app support.Fire TV sticks and boxes make the most sense for people already deep in Amazon's ecosystem, especially if they use Prime Video and add-on channels heavily. The Fire TV Cube also gets praise as an easy “hotel-like” setup for guests, with strong voice-control features.Apple TV is the easiest recommendation for people already using iPhones, Macs, and iPads. Its ecosystem integration makes passwords, purchases, authentication, and playback smoother, and older Apple TVs can remain useful for years.Chromecast is gone as a hardware brand, replaced by the Google TV Streamer. It is a good fit for people invested in Google, YouTube, YouTube TV, and Android, though Google's TV hardware strategy has been less consistent than Roku, Fire TV, or Apple TV.The NVIDIA Shield TV remains the power-user option for gamers, tinkerers, VPN users, and people who want more control over their streaming box. It has not been substantially updated since 2019, but it still works well, even if it is starting to show its age.Game consoles can still stream video, but Sony and Microsoft have mostly moved away from treating them as primary TV boxes. The crew also gives a farewell nod to retired or fading hardware like TiVo and Microsoft's old TV ambitions.The Xumo Stream Box from Comcast and Charter may be worth considering for internet subscribers who can get it free or discounted. It can replace some traditional cable-box use cases while still offering access to streaming apps.Many viewers simply use the apps built into their smart TVs, and that can work fine as long as performance holds up. Samsung's Tizen, LG's webOS, Roku TV, Fire TV, Google TV, Vizio's SmartCast, and TiVo OS all get a rundown, with the main advice being to consider long-term speed, app support, and whether you may eventually want a separate streaming box.For over-the-air broadcast TV, devices like HDHomeRun and Tablo can turn an antenna into a networked live-TV and DVR system. Amos explains his HDHomeRun Quattro setup feeding Plex for local DVR recordings like Saturday Night Live, NASCAR, major sports, and local news during severe weather.Amos also points out that Alaska's over-the-air TV can sometimes be delayed or degraded because local signals are rebroadcast by satellite. That means streaming apps can occasionally be ahead of the antenna feed, proving once again that every “simple” TV setup has an exception hiding somewhere.The crew closes by talking about how they actually choose what to watch now that almost everything is available somewhere. Brian compares modern TV to a book-club experience, Tom breaks down different household viewing use cases, and Amos describes his viewing as deliberate, focused, and ad-free whenever possible.Website: https://cordkillers.comEmail: cordkillers@gmail.comLive Tuesdays at 5:30 PM Eastern / 2:30 PM Pacific: https://twitch.tv/nightattack https://youtube.com/modernrogue Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Future of Journalism we explore how online news video is playing an ever important role in our news ecosystem. In this episode we explore how online news video is playing an ever important role in our news ecosystem given the shift towards news consumption on social and video networks as well as the prevalence of smart TVs. We explore where in the world the appetite for online news video is increasing, among which demographic groups they are most popular and how different video lengths differ across platforms. Speakers: Craig T. Robertson is a postdoctoral research fellow at the Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism. His research focus includes news trust and credibility, fact-checking and verification, and how both partisan attitudes and epistemic beliefs factor into these domains. He is a co-author of the Digital News Report. Host Mitali Mukherjee is the Director of the Reuters Institute and is a political economy journalist with more than two decades of experience in TV, print and digital journalism. A full transcript of the podcast can be found here: https://reutersinstitute.politics.ox.ac.uk/news/our-podcast-digital-news-report-2026-episode-5-growing-importance-online-news-video

Send us Fan MailDr. Dave Fabry and Henry Wong unpack Auracast and why it's fundamentally different from the old Bluetooth routine: no fiddly pairing, just a simple search and select flow that feels more like joining a Wi‑Fi network than connecting a gadget. The headline is bold but practical a single transmitter can broadcast high quality audio to unlimited nearby listeners at the same time, straight to compatible hearing devices. We walk through what “integration” really means on two fronts. First, the devices: Auracast transmitters can be smartphones, TVs, tablets, laptops, and even public announcement systems, while receivers can include hearing aids, earbuds, headphones, speakers, and other hearing instruments. Then the locations: deployments are already showing up across countries, and we talk about the momentum that turns a cool feature into something you can actually rely on when you step into a venue. From sports bars and gyms with multiple TVs to any place with a sound system, broadcast audio opens up choice and clarity for everyone, not just a small subset of users. We also share where to look for Auracast location profiles, plus how locations can register so the map gets easier for professionals and everyday listeners to use. Along the way, we connect the dots to hearing accessibility, the limits of older approaches like telecoils, and how making assistive listening mainstream can help reduce stigma for people who need support but avoid “medical” feeling gear. If you care about Bluetooth LE Audio, assistive listening technology, hearing aids, and the future of accessible public audio, hit subscribe, share this with a friend who struggles in noisy venues, and leave a review with the first place you want Auracast to show up next.

Stuck being the family tech hero? Let GUIDEYOU take a shift, with simple visual guides that walk your relatives through fixing Wi‑Fi, TVs, and apps while you finally enjoy some off‑duty time. The post YOUR FAMILY’S GUIDE TO TECH! appeared first on sound*bytes.

Brent Lavin, principal at Ironwood Medtech Partners, shares how he helps early-stage medtech companies build commercial strategies from concept through commercialization and exit. Brent reflects on his path from electrical engineer to launch expert, including lessons learned after seeing how overbuilt product features can complicate V&V and FDA review, and why founders must make early decisions with the end in mind. He discusses common startup pitfalls, the importance of pairing technical innovation with a strong commercial plan, and practical leadership insights on hiring “the right seat,” delegation, and setting clear standards while allowing teams flexibility in execution.    Guest links: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brent-lavin/ Charity supported: Save the Children Interested in being a guest on the show or have feedback to share? Email us at theleadingdifference@velentium.com.  PRODUCTION CREDITS Host & Editor: Lindsey Dinneen Producer: Velentium Medical   EPISODE TRANSCRIPT Episode 084 - Brent Lavin [00:00:00] Lindsey Dinneen: Hi, I'm Lindsey and I'm talking with MedTech industry leaders on how they change lives for a better world. [00:00:09] Diane Bouis: The inventions and technologies are fascinating and so are the people who work with them. [00:00:15] Frank Jaskulke: There was a period of time where I realized, fundamentally, my job was to go hang out with really smart people that are saving lives and then do work that would help them save more lives. [00:00:28] Diane Bouis: I got into the business to save lives and it is incredibly motivating to work with people who are in that same business, saving or improving lives. [00:00:38] Duane Mancini: What better industry than where I get to wake up every day and just save people's lives. [00:00:42] Lindsey Dinneen: These are extraordinary people doing extraordinary work, and this is The Leading Difference. Hello, and welcome back to another episode of The Leading Difference podcast. I'm your host, Lindsey, and today I'm delighted to welcome as my guest Brent Lavin. Brent is currently principal at Ironwood Medtech Partners, where they help build the commercial logic into medtech startup innovation from concept through commercialization and exit. As an engineer turned launch expert, Brent has helped commercialize 20+ 510K PMA products and led the buy side of four M&A transactions, so he knows what buyers value beyond the science. With a diverse background from GE Healthcare to C.R. Bard to BD to now leading Ironwood Medtech Partners, he thrives on helping early-stage companies navigate the complex healthcare landscape and build successful companies. All right. Brent, welcome to the show. So glad to have you here today. [00:01:39] Brent Lavin: Yeah, great to be here. Thanks so much for the invite. I appreciate it. [00:01:42] Lindsey Dinneen: Absolutely. Well, I'd love if you would start by just sharing a little bit about yourself, your background, and what led you to medtech? [00:01:50] Brent Lavin: Yeah. So, I'm Brent Lavin. I live here in Phoenix, Arizona. I've recently founded Ironwood Medtech Partners, which is my company helping early-stage medtech. But I spent nearly 20 years in strategic medtech, and so I originally came to the industry through the engineering function. I was an electrical engineer in product development and innovation. And after three or four years of that, decided I wanna move over into what was, what is traditionally product management. And so, through my MBA program and then starting with GE Healthcare, I've spent the last 20 years at this intersection of R&D innovation, strategy, business development, and marketing. And so, really great run. Have been on the buy side of several M&A transactions, and I try to bring all of that experience to the early stage so that, you know, companies as they start out, can be building for the future. And so, it's been a great journey in medtech, and I've loved it so far. [00:02:46] Lindsey Dinneen: Yeah. Okay, so, so many things to ask about, but I'll, I'll start here. So, all right, so you're sa- you know, as you, you mentioned building towards the future and especially with these young startups that might not have a lot of experience in that particular kind of environment, or they're leading their company for the first time. What are some of the things that you see that maybe are pitfalls to avoid? Just, just like maybe some of the things that you've seen startups struggle with a little bit, and how can we help them mitigate those risks? [00:03:17] Brent Lavin: Yeah, there is a lot there, but let me just start by saying there is no linear path, and it is a very circular, ongoing process as you work through those early stages. And we call it the fuzzy front end for a very good reason. And sometimes you need to go down paths to realize that's not the right path, and you need to be comfortable with that. But at the end of the day, one of my goals is to help early-stage companies build with the end in mind because whether you acknowledge it or not, you're making decisions today that are ultimately gonna affect how you commercialize in the future. And so at least being able to make those decisions with your eyes wide open and understanding the trade-offs that are going on. And so for somebody that's been at the very end of that process, I, I can help inform, you know, those early stages so that you make priority decisions and trade-offs, you know, with full-scale information. [00:04:17] Lindsey Dinneen: Okay. Yeah. Well, I, I love the fact that you highlighted it's not a linear path, and there are a lot of things that go into, of course, the success of a startup. I'm wondering, in, in your role now, what are some of the areas which you see successful startups really thrive in as they're working with, with somebody like you to help make them successful from the start? [00:04:42] Brent Lavin: Yeah. Thanks for that question. I love working with early-stage founders that are passionate about their technology but especially those that realize where they may need to supplement their technical background with more of a commercial mindset. And so the, the people that work, that I work best with, are open to inputs and consideration of other options as they go through that process because you know, the, the famous saying, "What got you here is not what's going to get you there." And so while technical innovation is, is key that may not lead to an acquisition if you can't tie it to a strong commercial plan. [00:05:22] Lindsey Dinneen: Mm, mm-hmm. Yeah, so actually this is an area that I'm very curious about even in your own journey is, so you started off with that technical background as an electrical engineer, and I'd love to hear a little bit more about that as well. But maybe if you don't mind sharing a little bit about the transition or the learning process of going from that as a really good base to also being able to understand the full life cycle and how to make something succeed. [00:05:47] Brent Lavin: Yeah. Well, let me kind of go back to those engineering days and talk a little bit about how I made that pivot from engineering into product management. And to be honest, I didn't know exactly what I was doing at the time, but a-as an engineer, I was working with a product development team where we were creating a project. I was at a s- a contract design manufacturing company, and we were working with an outside company that owned a patent for a laboratory blood culturing instrument. And so we were their engineering partner, and what I saw firsthand was unfortunately, this customer at the time did not have full insight into the workflow and how the device was used in practice. And so as an engineering team, we frankly overbuilt many options into the product in order to try to s-satisfy everybody. And that seemed attractive at the time, but ultimately when we got to V&V, verification validation, and the FDA review process, it was a real struggle to get this on market. Now we ultimately did, but the epiphany for me was, I am really good at understanding engineering trade-offs and working with engineering teams to go through the process of evaluating different options. But I also really like working with customers and understanding what moves the needle and what's the difference between a nice to have and a need to have. And so, it was that kind of experience firsthand that led me to say, "I wanna operate at this intersection and really operate in both sides of that equation." And so ultimately I decided I needed to get an MBA in order to do that. So I left a, a good paying engineering job right after I got married and we moved to Madison and I got my MBA and then, you know, that ultimately led to GE Healthcare and, and then, you know, continued career in medtech. So thanks for asking that question. [00:07:43] Lindsey Dinneen: Yeah. Well, okay, so your leadership journey, of course, has, has evolved over time as, as often happens, and, and you've gone from leadership positions within other organizations to, of course, now leading your own. And I'd love if you'd just share a little bit about that journey of, of growth and discovery, maybe some, you know, lessons learned along the way. [00:08:06] Brent Lavin: Yeah. So, let's talk a little bit about kind of my formal leadership in the, you know, corporate structure and organization. I would say, we were chatting beforehand that, you know, I really moved through slowly at the beginning of my leadership from one person to three people to five people. And as an ambitious person, I always felt like that was too slow. And so, but I think it was those foundational aspects of working very closely one-on-one with people, hiring, deciding who to hire, selection, onboarding having crucial conversations about performance management and how to put people in the right seat to be successful, all occurred when my leadership span was frankly smaller than probably I was hoping it would be. But at the proper time, my leadership expanded very quickly from five to seven and ultimately 22 people within about an 18-month period. And if I had not had those slow steps along the way, I don't think I would've been ready for that and I, I would've struggled. And so, even though my ambition was high, the pace was just right in order to be successful in that. Now, to your second part of the question of, you know, how do you then transition to this, this new role? That has been a learning experience, and I'm not sure I have it mastered but it is all about influence. And so, you know, leadership, even in a formal organization, while you can be connected on the org chart, ultimately boils down to influence. And so my goal is to influence early-stage companies to understand the trade-offs that they're making and hopefully help them chart the best path forward for the goal that they have, you know, individually. Every company is built differently, and so I try to channel what their goals are into my recommendations. [00:10:02] Lindsey Dinneen: Absolutely. So you mentioned something that is brought up often, but I think it's a concept that would be worth diving into, and that's the concept of the right seat, and I would love if you would share a little bit more about your philosophy behind that and how, as a leader too, if you know that there's perhaps somebody who's a great fit for your organization but isn't in the right seat, how do you help make that happen? [00:10:29] Brent Lavin: Yeah. So this is back to the seminal Jim Collins book. You know, get the right people on the, on the bus and then get them in the right seat, correct? And so I always tried to select the person first and then find the opportunity. And there are times where you need to pivot people. So let me tell a, a quick anecdote about, you know, a situation where we had somebody on my team, and this person had progressed through different product management roles, but this person also had a project management background and was really passionate about project management and brought those skill sets to product management. But they are different, and that... Her passion was in project management, and so I knew of some upcoming and different opportunities in the organization that would be very project management focused and that, that position was not even on the org chart at the time. But as I had discussions and, and understood that that was becoming a reality, then I turned and, and offered that to the, to the person and ultimately they, they took that new opportunity. And so, it's really understanding really their long-term goals as well as, you know, their strengths, their natural strengths. Not just where they're operating, but what their natural strengths are, and then sometimes even creating an opportunity for them. [00:11:51] Lindsey Dinneen: Mm-hmm. Yeah. Yeah, and so, okay, so, so you've had kind of, a really cool opportunity to get a really good look into some of these startup companies who, you know, their founders might not be in a place where they're able to necessarily hire a whole bunch of people right away. How can you come in and support them when they're, say, like really young, maybe pre-seed, trying to figure out what the next right step is and, and able to sort of help lead them also in that transition of, you know, perhaps single founder to also a leader of a company? [00:12:32] Brent Lavin: Yeah. That's a great question, and I'm early in that journey, right? And so, maybe not some specific examples around that, but certainly again, you know, leadership is influence. And you know, I try to understand as a leader of people in a, an organization what everybody's goals are, personal and professional goals are, and then match, you know, again, what I can do to, to their, to their interests. And so when you talk about, you know, early stage CEOs, sometimes it's just a matter of listening as an unbiased outside observer who has no money in the company. And so, it can just be providing perspective from years of experience and asking insightful questions, you know, even before there's a relationship, a business relationship, between, you know, my company and theirs. And the goal is to help everybody be successful. Like, I'm a passionate medtech leader that wants, you know, th- these innovations to reach market. And so, people have lifted me up along the way, and if, if I can do that just in, in conversations and mentorship, certainly willing to do that and have done that. But as, you know, a CEO transitions then into seed and Series A, just providing, you know, again, leadership perspective from, you know, my corporate experience can be helpful. Because ultimately people are not gonna do things exactly the same way that you've done them as an individual contributor, and you have to become comfortable with allowing people, giving people the, the guardrails, and then allowing them to operate in their own style to achieve the results that you've laid out for them. [00:14:20] Lindsey Dinneen: Hmm. So yeah, and th-that's been something that's been talked about quite a bit is that art of delegating, and how do you give your people the right guardrails without making it so narrow that it feels like you're kind of micromanaging, but you ha- you have to maintain culture and brand, you know, like tone in the way that you speak. So, what are some strategies or tips that you might have for, for a leader who is in the position, needs to delegate? This is maybe a first time. It's a little bit hard to let go of the baby, as it were. So, so how do you help them navigate that? [00:14:55] Brent Lavin: Ye- yeah, I, I would go back to my own experience where, you know, I probably didn't do this the best the very first time that I had people on my team and was delegating. And I would say that most high achievers struggle with delegation for the first time because people are going to do things in a different way than you did. And I tried to teach my way, but as I grew and expanded and got, you know, mentorship and, and learned through that process, I started to go f- you know, higher o- on the ladder to, you know, values and culture and expectations, to your, to your point before. So, as a leader you have to be consistent and just unending in your communication of expectations, values, and standards, and then hold people to those. And so I, I say this often. I live in South Chandler, Arizona, and Scottsdale is maybe 40 minutes away. You know, a new leader would say you know, "You gotta go up the 101, you need to take Exit this and that to get to the coffee shop." Where as I grew more comfortable and confident, I would say, "We're gonna meet at this coffee shop in Chandler." And if they wanted to take surface streets and hit all the stoplights, so be it. And so you gotta become comfortable with that. But at the same time, our standard is "We're gonna meet at this coffee shop at 11 o'clock sharp, and I expect you to be there." [00:16:26] Lindsey Dinneen: That's a great analogy. I love the way you put that. Thanks for sharing it. Yeah, that's-- and that's a really interesting way of thinking about it, is there's, there's many avenues to getting something done correctly and to meet those expectations that you set forth, but there can also be room for creativity on how that's done, how that's accomplished. [00:16:46] Brent Lavin: Yeah. You know, one of the team values that, that I had with my most recent team was around this idea of, of play to win. And you know, over time, I actually adjusted that with some feedback and some further, you know, kinda study on leadership toward striving for excellence. And so I think the play to win was a little bit narrow in that you can't always control everything around you. And winning is an outcome that may be dependent on some other factors that, that you can't influence. And so that was a little bit narrow and, and too outcome-focused. But strive- striving for excellence was something that we could talk about daily, and you may not win, but as long as you strive for excellence in whatever we're asking you to do, like that's the standard. And so, that became a lot more robust, I would say, in the conversations that we had around setting and ensuring expectations. [00:17:45] Lindsey Dinneen: Yes, I love that. Excellence over perfection, especially for those of us who are what I would fondly refer to as a recovering perfectionist. So. [00:17:53] Brent Lavin: Mm-hmm [00:17:54] Lindsey Dinneen: I love that. [00:17:56] Brent Lavin: Yeah, it's a present tense recovering, right? Because we're never fully recovered. But... [00:18:01] Lindsey Dinneen: That's right. That's right. Absolutely. No, I love that. So just out of pure curiosity, when you were, say, I don't know, seven, eight years old, could you have possibly imagined becoming an engineer and/or doing what you do now, which is so much even more robust? [00:18:18] Brent Lavin: Oh my gosh, Lindsey, I love this question, because I couldn't, you know? I didn't. I grew up in small town USA and you know, I, I was really focused on it, you know, being the best at any single sport I could play. I, I was just a ball kid and, and but I loved entrepreneurship. And it's funny you say this because I think in high school, you know, they have those like, "What are you gonna do when you grow up?" I wanted to own a sports bar. And yeah, so like I wanted to help serve good food and, and just have a lot of TVs around and and be an entertainment spot. But I just kind of had that entrepreneurial, you know, itch. And so I, I pretty well knew I was gonna be an engineer just because I was good at technical things, and I loved it. Like, it wasn't work to me. But I didn't even understand what medtech was. And I was 22 years old in my first engineering job. I was six months into the job, and I ended up in the ER on the weekend, and excruciating abdominal pain. And they ran a CT scan, and they found the problem, they relieved the symptoms, they sent me home, and they said, "You need to see the surgeon on Monday morning." Not really understanding what was going on, but I distinctly remember being in that surgeon's office the next week and seeing the axial image of the CT scan on the light box, like the physical light box back then. And I was fascinated. I was fascinated that they chopped my body like a loaf of bread, and within about 30 seconds they could identify the issue. And you know, the surgeon said, "Y- you have this recurrent diaphragmatic hernia, and you're gonna be in surgery in two days." And so I was not scared. I was more fascinated than anything, and that is what crystallized, you know, my need to get into, to medtech. I didn't even know it existed, but I said, "I wanna go do that." And if you fast-forward about five years, there I was working for GE Healthcare, you know, the maker of those CT scanners. And so, I think medtech is really hard. It is not the most glamorous industry. So we all need that why, and for me, again, that Monday morning in the surgeon's office is my why. [00:20:31] Lindsey Dinneen: Hmm. I love that. Yeah, and I love that that's your why, and sort of a follow-up question to that then is, are there any moments that stand out to you along your journey being in medtech that particularly reinforced to you, since making that decision, say, that you are in the right place at the right time? [00:20:52] Brent Lavin: Yeah, and, and I don't mind talking about this. I'll tell this other story. About 12 or 13 years ago, I ended up learning that I had an autoimmune condition, and if you fast-forward, I, I was on some pharmaceuticals, and I've recovered, and I'm all back to normal, but I still live with that. But you go to today, and there are neuromodulation solutions that are addressing autoimmune conditions. And so we're now giving patients a choice between a device-based intervention and a pharmaceutical intervention or a pharmaceutical treatment. And I did not love those pharmaceuticals. They, they had certain side effects and I didn't wanna be on them the rest of my life. Now, I've weaned off of most of them, but patients today are getting an option for a device-based intervention, and so that's what medtech is about. And so when I hear stories of like th- like this, I'm like, "I'm exactly in the right place." And so, there's so much opportunity for us to innovate and impact pa- impact patient lives whether that's ourselves, you know, our family members, or people we may never meet. [00:22:03] Lindsey Dinneen: Yeah. Yeah, thank you for sharing that story. That's-- it's incredible to see. I think one of the best parts about being in the industry is getting to feel hope on a daily basis, yeah? 'Cause there's always something new coming out. These, like you said, medtech is really hard. There are a lot of really tough days, sometimes very not glamorous, and you just... if you have that why, that helps pull you through those days. But I really love what you touched on there of how those innovations that are coming through, that is reason for hope and just optimism again, especially in a, in a world that needs that really badly. [00:22:45] Brent Lavin: Yeah, I think it's easy to be cynical about healthcare. But I guess I choose hope. And yes, we have some structural things that we need to work through. Yes, we have a reimbursement climate or regulatory structure. But to me, that's just a great puzzle, and the, the innovations that do have an impact, not only on healthcare patients, but also economics, are the ones that are gonna win. And so I don't mind that it's a high bar, you know? And so, that just means that we need to all be a little bit better, 1% better, and continue to make a difference. [00:23:20] Lindsey Dinneen: Yeah. No, that's, that's so great. I really love that. Okay, so pivoting the conversation a little bit just for fun. Imagine that you were to be offered a million dollars to teach a master class on anything you want. It can be within your industry, but it doesn't have to be. What would you choose to teach? [00:23:41] Brent Lavin: Yeah. I love that you asked this question, and I could go a lot of different directions. I, I think I'm gonna say, you know, I would love to teach the process of structured customer insights. And so I'm thinking back to the whiteboard of an early stage and then throughout the con- the, the journey of a company. But I think there's a big gap between asking questions to learn and asking the best questions that can ultimately influence your business decision. And so it's not only what you're asking, it's how you're asking it, why you're asking it, and then doing the proper follow-up during the conversation in order to learn the true insight. And so I love baking and I love barbecue, maybe back to my, you know, sports bar dreams. But I think there's a big difference between following the recipe of a baking, you know, process, and doing barbecue, which is very process-oriented and no two things are the same. And so I think we need to approach customer insights a little bit more like barbecue, where you definitely have a goal and a process, but you're willing to adjust and make the changes as you learn in order to affect, you know, the business decisions. [00:25:06] Lindsey Dinneen: Hmm. Yeah. Okay. I really like that. I also like the illustration of the barbecue analogy. That's, that's fun. So okay, so I do have to ask a follow-up question then. So how did this skill set come about for you? Is this something that you, you learned, say, during observations? Or how did you develop this, this masterclass, shall we say? [00:25:28] Brent Lavin: Yeah. I, I think it's, some of it's through my own kind of learning in having conducted just hundreds of physician interviews. And I think, again, early in my career, I used to go through a questionnaire step by step and, and I'd get to the end and I'd have a report, but I may not have the insight. And I think as, again, as I became more comfortable with that process, I would, I would take U-turns or I would take the fork in the road, depending on where the physician was going, and continue to learn maybe not something that was on my roadmap, but something I still needed to learn. And then as I became in- came into leadership, I, I think I just saw it again with early product managers that wanted to follow a recipe and wanted to check a box toward customer insights rather than, again, truly getting in the customer's shoes. I think one of the most fun things of my job in upstream and innovation marketing is when I can interview enough physicians about a particular narrow procedure or product concept, if I can interview enough of them, s- typically between 20 and 30, depending on how complex, and I can start to think like them. And that's the ultimate of a product manager, is to think like the physician. Again, it all depends on how complex the procedure is and whatnot, and we should always be striving to learn. But when you can achieve this secondary kinda personality that mirrors what you've heard from all of these conversations, there's nothing better. [00:27:10] Lindsey Dinneen: Really cool. Okay, excellent. Thank you All right. And then how do you wish to be remembered after you leave this world? [00:27:19] Brent Lavin: Wow. I haven't thought about this in a while. I think, how do I wanna be remembered? Obviously, you know, for my family by, like, leaving, you know, a good family legacy, and also just, I showed up. I just put my shoulder down, did the best I could, certainly wasn't perfect. But I tried to just do the best with what God gave me, and it happens to be in the medtech world right now. And I think I'm uniquely gifted for where I'm at. But I still wanna make more impact over, you know, the next couple of decades. [00:27:55] Lindsey Dinneen: Mm, mm-hmm. Yeah, absolutely. Okay, and then final question. What is one thing that makes you smile every time you see or think about it? [00:28:06] Brent Lavin: Yeah, I, I guess I gotta just go back to my family right now. I got four teenagers, you know, and we're just in an awesome period of life, and I was traveling last week, and just being able to come home, you know, see my wife, see the kids, can't help but smile. So, you know, my two boys are twins, are graduating high school, and those days are, are kinda short, so I'm just trying to soak up every minute of that right now. [00:28:30] Lindsey Dinneen: That's wonderful. I love that. Well, this has been a really great conversation, Brent. Thank you so much for joining me today. We are so honored to be making a donation on your behalf as a thank you for your time today to Save the Children, which works to end the cycle of poverty by ensuring communities have the resources to provide children with a healthy, educational, and safe environment. So thank you so much for choosing that charity to support, and also thank you for continuing to work to change lives for a better world. I'm grateful for you and for your impact on the industry. [00:29:07] Brent Lavin: Well, thanks for this conversation. I've really enjoyed it, and I, I can't wait to continue to stay in touch. [00:29:11] Lindsey Dinneen: Absolutely. Thank you so much. [00:29:14] Dan Purvis: The Leading Difference is brought to you by Velentium Medical. Velentium Medical is a full service CDMO, serving medtech clients worldwide to securely design, manufacture, and test class two and class three medical devices. Velentium Medical's four units include research and development-- pairing electronic and mechanical design, embedded firmware, mobile app development, and cloud systems with the human factor studies and systems engineering necessary to streamline medical device regulatory approval; contract manufacturing-- building medical products at the prototype, clinical, and commercial levels in the US, as well as in low cost regions in 1345 certified and FDA registered Class VII clean rooms; cybersecurity-- generating the 12 cybersecurity design artifacts required for FDA submission; and automated test systems, assuring that every device produced is exactly the same as the device that was approved. Visit VelentiumMedical.com to explore how we can work together to change lives for a better world.

➢ Check out our website www.colossusfitness.comIn this episode we go over 7 different ways to naturally increase your energy levels. There's no worse feeling than always feeling sluggish, tired, or just not in the right head space.These strategies and tips should help you feel energized.Having low energy is the absolute worst and there's no worse feeling.Listed points:1- Aim to do more of what inspires you“You often feel tired, not because you've done too much, but because you've done too little of what sparks a light in you.”2- Spend 15-60 minutes getting inspired each dayAudio booksPodcastsBooksMotivational videos3- Eat a balanced dietA lot of people don't realize, but a poor diet can substantially decrease energy levels.Ex- heavy fast food meal will weigh you down.Lighter, healthy meal will give you energy and leave you feeling greatProtein helps to stabilize blood sugar levels and provides a longer-lasting energy source. Include sources like lean meats, beans, nuts, and tofu.4- Get rid of the energy draining habitsExamples:Waking up and scrollingLaying in bed after the alarm goes offAlcoholSaying yes to everything and overcommitting5- Get Adequate Sleep/Manage StressAim for 7-9 hours of quality sleep each night.Stick to a consistent sleep schedule by going to bed and waking up at the same time every day.10 hours before bed: No more caffeine. 3 hours before bed: No more food or alcohol. 2 hours before bed: No more work. 1 hour before bed: No more screen time (shut off all phones, TVs and computers). 0: The number of times you hit snooze in the morning.6- Morning sunlightWakes up your brain, Improves sleep at night, Boosts daytime energy7- Get more movementThanks for listening! We genuinely appreciate every single one of you listening.➢Follow us on instagram @colossusfit➢Apply to get your Polished Physique: https://colossusfitness.com/

Prof Cathy Johnson, a leading expert on public service media who has advised Ofcom and contributed to numerous parliamentary select committees and government investigations, discusses the implications of the ITV–Sky deal for ITV, Channel 4, ITN and Sky News, and what it means for the shrinking group of purely British public service broadcasters. We unpack the government's green paper, “Watch This Space: A New Strategic Direction for UK Media,” and what it suggests – and fails to decide – about the long‑term future of public service broadcasting, including the BBC's charter and funding.We also explore why concepts like prominence, discoverability and amplification now sit at the heart of media policy: who gets seen first on smart TVs, streaming platforms and social media; what counts as a “trustworthy” news provider; and whether voluntary deals with tech platforms can ever be enough. We look at Ofcom's role, the Online Safety Act's definition of news publishers, the pressure on Channel 4 and local news, and how citizens can still influence media policy.To support our journalism and receive a weekly blog sign up now for £1.99 per monthwww.patreon.com/BeebWatch/membership @beebwatch.bsky.social@BeebRogerInstagram: rogerboltonsbeebwatchLinkedIn: Roger Bolton's Beeb Watchemail: roger@rogerboltonsbeebwatch.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Fact or fiction?

The Bravo conversation isn't just happening on our TVs anymore—it's happening between the cast and the content creators covering them.Today, I'm unpacking the latest developments surrounding Anne Marie Wiley and the new allegations against Marcellus Wiley following TMZ's latest reporting, along with Anne Marie's reported decision to move forward with a divorce.Then we're diving into a much bigger conversation after Lindsay Hubbard publicly called out Bravo fan accounts for what she describes as cyberbullying. Where is the line between commentary, criticism, and harassment? Has the Bravo content creator space become too comfortable picking sides instead of staying objective?I'll also share my thoughts on the ongoing conversations involving Queens of Bravo, Dr. D, Up and Adam, and why authenticity and accountability matter now more than ever in this space.We Need To Talk About This! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

"Do you know how to use a sword?" "Yes. The pointy end goes into the other man." While that exchange from the Old Zorro to the Young Zorro in a movie sounds funny, it's part of David Baker's everyday life. The bladesmith is in the middle of shooting his newest show, "Baker's Blades," for distribution on YouTube. He's getting from here to there for each episode thanks to his motorcycle, and we dig into all of it. The news touches on BMW, TVS, Ducati and each of Japan's Big Four motorcycle manufacturers. Chasing the Horizon is brought to you by Wunderlich America and the BMW Motorcycle Owners of America. Get all the links for our guest and the news on the show notes page on chasingthehorizon.us.

In Episode 211 of the Fish House Nation Podcast presented by Catch Cover, Chris Larsen and Al Escobedo break down the best ways to set up electronics inside your wheelhouse to help you catch more fish and make your time on the ice more enjoyable. From traditional flashers and underwater cameras to today's live sonar systems, they share practical tips on reducing interference, positioning transducers, maximizing camera views, and displaying electronics on big-screen TVs. They also discuss how house layout, hole placement, and cable management can improve both your fishing success and your overall experience inside the fish house. Whether you're running a classic flasher, a high-definition camera, or the latest live sonar, this episode will help you build a cleaner, more efficient electronics setup before ice season arrives. In this episode you'll learn: • How to eliminate interference between multiple flashers • Tips for positioning transducers and cameras inside a wheelhouse • The best ways to use live sonar with multiple anglers • How to connect electronics to your fish house TV • Common setup mistakes to avoid before your next trip If you're looking to get the most from your electronics this winter, this episode is packed with practical advice you can put to use right away. The new Catch Cover Pro is available for purchase now at https://catchcover.com/new-catch-cover-pro/

The world is teaching us to depend more on our devices than the Divine. Cell phones, computers, TVs and tablets can turn into a god when we are consumed by them day in and day out. Join us this week and we begin a new Series: Digital Divide. We are reminded from Romans 12:2 - Do not be confirmed to this world. We are to be fully present with people and God. Additional Scripture References: 2 Corinthians 3:18, Acts 2:42-47

The team is assembled at GMHBA Stadium, where it is chucking it down. Nobody is ever thrilled about the trip down the highway, except Jay Z who reveals the one time he got to the ground in a helicopter. Isaac is totally confused by the world's hottest new TVs show, but there has been one benefit for him. Then Geelong's Tom Atkins joins the team from the boundary with Nat Yoannidis. The Chief's Agenda looks at Hawthorn attempting to land Ben King - but which of their forwards might be lost in the shuffle? Plus there's speculation around Zach Merrett, and if Dean Solomon's current record as interim coach is costing him the full-time gig. Isaac looks far and wide for his Penthouse and Outhouse nominees, K-Mac's Royal Commission is on sudden retirements, and the team whips through some very quick Unpopular Opinions.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Android Summer continues as we prepare for the Fourth of July here in the U.S. and Jason Howell, Huyen Tue Dao and Ron Richards are pondering their T-Mobile bill and impossibly thin phones with huge batteries while trying to stay coolNote: Time codes subject to change depending on dynamic ad insertion by the distributor00:05:14 - NEWSHot off the heels of last week's news of T-Mobile being the best carrier in the U.S., the news breaks that T-Mobile is forcing millions of customers on legacy plans to current, more expensive plans. Not cool.Android phones alerted millions of people ahead of the earthquake in Venezuela - exactly how did it all work?Massive upgrade to 50W wireless charging may be in Qi2's future for Googe Pixel phonesPATRON PICK: How can the Tecno Camon Slim be 6.39mm thick and have a 5,600mAh Battery??00:39:21 - HARDWARENothing officially revealed the Nothing 4(b) design and it's pretty good!Samsung unveils the Samsung Galaxy A27 5G and they really want you to think it's awesomeCould the Samsung Rollable be coming sooner than we think?The Clicks Communicator is real and it's fantastic! A First Look video shows off the device.00:57:41 - APPS 'n SOFTWARE 'n STUFFAndroid 17 making foldables fun for gaming is no joke!Hey! Google made an app for Finance!And Google is giving you more controls over backups!But Google is taking away a loophole for FitBit users to avoid Google HealthYou can now watch Instagram Reels on TVs with Google Cast.01:09:42 - COMMUNITY FEEDBACKBecky B. from New Jersey has a use for an old Razr plus tales of selling Meta Ray BansJordan "Sassquatch" from Montana has a throwback use for an old phoneAndrew LeRoy reports from flyover country about why T-Mobile isn't so hot and why AT&T is still king Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Lily Wecker, CEO of Aethos,  shares how her teams break hotel brand standards to deliver a feeling rather than a checklist. You'll hear why one property has no TVs in the rooms, why she tells front desk teams to observe guests instead of predicting what they want, and how a GM in Sardinia turned beach rocks into welcome-card holders.This conversation is hosted by our innovation correspondent Matthias Huettebraeuker.Also see:Human-to-Human: Rethinking Luxury Hospitality - Lily Wecker, AethosBuilding and operating Aethos Hotels: Europe's next great hotel brandLimestone Capital's value investment strategyStaying Consistently Creative and Relevant in Food & Beverage - Marc Lores Panades, Aethos Hotels A few more resources:If you're new to Hospitality Daily, start here. You can send me a message here with questions, comments, or guest suggestionsIf you want to get my summary and actionable insights from each episode delivered to your inbox each day, subscribe here for free.Follow Hospitality Daily and join the conversation on YouTube, LinkedIn, and Instagram.If you want to advertise on Hospitality Daily, here are the ways we can work together.If you found this episode interesting or helpful, send it to someone on your team so you can turn the ideas into action and benefit your business and the people you serve!Music for this show is produced by Clay Bassford of Bespoke Sound: Music Identity Design for Hospitality Brands

Patrick brings the smartphone struggle front and center, questioning why tech and social media seem to influence children more than their own families. Parents call in with raw confessions, regrets, and inventive solutions, from holding out on smartphones to battling the sneaky ways kids get around controls, while stories of bikes, banana seats, and even Maseratis bring humor and a touch of nostalgia to the mix. Rules, boundaries, and values collide with modern tech, leaving listeners weighing connection, safety, and family sanity in a world where a phone can change everything. Audio: Once kids get smart phones, family life turns into a fight over screen time . . . - https://x.com/drantbradley/status/2012876836502405511 (00:23) Audio: just because everyone is doing it doesn’t mean your kids should do it too - https://x.com/modernxdad/status/2015262851414544684 (02:21) Todd - Smart phone: I challenge you to switch to a flip phone and have kids watch Gun Smoke (09:14) Liz - We are a family of smart phone holdouts, and we gave our kids flip phones and my kids don't care. (10:25) Melissa - A counselor told me that I should get my kid a phone so she could feel more part of other kids' social circles. That was the beginning of the end. (19:36) Jorge - From where I come from, we didn't have TVs. I think I can enjoy the benefit of learning without it. I compare the TVs of yesterday to the phone today. (23:29) Jessica - Smart phones: Somethings that helped me prolong the eventuality of kids getting a phone was a straight A report card. (29:09) Gloria - Smart phone: I set parameters for my kids. My children wanted them at a young age. I did a lot of research before getting them phones. We used a lot of the parental controls available. I think it is working out. (34:14) Marie - I have a teenager and a preteen. I totally agree with Patrick. My 10-year-old hacked my iPad and removed restrictions. (40:27) Andrew - I am a parent of 6 kids. I struggle with how smart phones can lead to the sin of envy. (44:31) John - My college age son argues that killing in video games is moral and I argue it is not. Can you help me? (49:02) (Originally aired 1/29/26)

First up is Sandy Bird from Sonrai discussing how to protect our cloud infrastructure! This segment is sponsored by Sonrai Security. Visit https://securityweekly.com/sonrai to learn more about them! Next up in the security news: Help, I am Fortibleeding Cisco SD-WAN needs help The secret life of probe requests Help, I am Squidbleeding XSS to RCE and why CVSS isn't the full picture TVs spy on you Foundational security practices Cybersecurity costs money Happy "Its too late to update your KEK key" day You don't have security flaws if no one can report them Rickrolling FIFA Domain takeovers End of life, out of luck The key to Encryption... Visit https://www.securityweekly.com/psw for all the latest episodes! Show Notes: https://securityweekly.com/psw-932

This week we discuss post-CEO job opportunities for Tim Cook, new TVs and our beta experiences or lack thereof.John Gruber discusses Apple's impending price increases.The touch screen MacBook is 100% confirmed to the max, totally.Our thanks to Factor for sponsoring this episode. Eat smarter with tasty, chef-prepped meals that are dietitian-approved and delivered right to your door. Ready in just two minutes and with more than 65 weekly meals, you can pick what's right for you. Head to factormeals.com/rebound50off and use code rebound50off to get 50% off your first box.If you want to help out the show and get some great bonus content, consider becoming a Rebound Prime member! Just go to prime.reboundcast.com to check it out!Were you aware that you could buy things from us?! That's right! Shirts, iPhone cases, mugs, hats and one other type of thing are all available from our Rebound Store!

First-time homebuyers may get short windows of relief, but our co-head of Securitized Products Research James Egan and Senior Economist and Strategist in Morgan Stanley's Private Wealth Management Sarah Wolfe say the bigger story is a housing market resetting around a higher bar to entry.Read more insights from Morgan Stanley.----- Transcript -----James Egan: Welcome to Thoughts on the Market. I'm Jim Egan, Morgan Stanley's U.S. Housing Strategist and Co-Head of Securitized Products Strategy.Sarah Wolfe: And I'm Sarah Wolfe, Senior Economist and Strategist within Morgan Stanley Wealth Management.James Egan: And today, why first-time homebuyers are facing a tougher path to ownership.It's Tuesday, June 23rd at 10am in New York.Buying a first-time home has always been a big step, but for a growing number of first-time buyers today, the goal can really seem insurmountable.Mortgage rates might be down from where they were in the second half of 2023, but they're significantly higher than they were for the several years before that. Monthly payments have roughly doubled for a median-priced home. And my colleague Jay Bacow and I have talked several times on this podcast about how many homeowners feel like they're locked into those lower rates.And they're staying put because they just don't want to give up a two or three-handle mortgage rate for something that has a six in front of it. But Sarah, as we know, this is bigger than just first-time buyers. Now, they often start the housing transaction chain, and when they can't buy, current owners may not be able to sell and trade up.That slows turnover across the market, and it also reduces activity tied to housing – from mortgages and renovations to moving and furniture. And it can keep would-be buyers renting for longer, which adds pressure to rental demand.So, how do you see this situation? Is this just another affordability squeeze, or has the housing market reset to a higher barrier to entry?Sarah Wolfe: I do think that we're on the upper bound of affordability pressures. This is about as bad as it's going to get. But as we discussed in our recent publication of The Economy Explained, unfortunately, we do think that the housing market is resetting at a structurally higher barrier to entry. There's a lot of reasons for that.The first is higher interest rates. Yes, mortgage rates are sitting around 6.5 percent, and they should come down from here, but maybe not better than 5.5 percent, right, in an optimistic scenario. The second is demographic pressures. Remember, we have this tremendous aging population of baby boomers. All of their children are now entering their prime home-buying years, so there's a lot of demand for ownership.The third and fourth ones are land regulation and permitting, which is at the state and local level, really hard to change. And the last one is climate risk. It's just raising insurance pricing and making it much more difficult to buy a home.So overall, we see a world where, yes, mortgage rates come down a bit, improve affordability marginally, but we think neutral and other interest rates at the longer end of the curve are going to be higher than the post-financial crisis period. And what we're going to see is that those forces are going to widen the divide between who can own a home and who cannot. And who gains from that wealth accumulation and who does not.James Egan: Right. So now, you mentioned where mortgage rates are today, above that 6 percent rate. Rates did briefly – in February, we got below 6 percent before they bounced back up here. Why did that short-lived relief matter so much?Sarah Wolfe: I think that short-lived relief showed us that moves in the mortgage rate make a difference, but things are so unaffordable that it didn't make that much of a difference.So, the dip below 6 percent was very exciting. It happened this past February. It was the first time that mortgage rates fell below 6 percent since 2022, and we saw a few things happen. First, it lowered the monthly payment for first-time homebuyers from about two point two thousand dollars a month to one point nine thousand.So makes a bit of a difference. And it lowered the share of income that goes towards monthly mortgage payments from about 26 percent of income to 22 percent, from peak to trough. So, that is a notable improvement. But what we saw in the new home sales data and the existing home sales data, that it did not drive people back into the housing market.I want to turn it back to you though, Jim, because you've actually done a lot of interesting work on this. And how this change in mortgage rates has changed the monthly cost that people have to pay for a median-priced home. Can you tell us a little bit more?James Egan: Sure. So, we talk about the lock-in effect a lot, and it's kind of easy to point to: Well, there are a lot of people with mortgage rates that are around 3 percent or 3.5 percent, and the prevailing rate's at 6 percent, and that's a lot higher, so they're locked in.But when we look at the actual numbers in terms of what we're asking a homeowner to do – to list their home for sale and move to another home today, pay off that existing mortgage, take out a new one. When you take into account how much higher home prices are today…You bought a home in 2016, for instance, right? Let's assume you refinanced in 2020 or 2021 if you still live there, right? Most homeowners did. So, you've actually taken your monthly payment, and it is lower today than it was when you bought your home in 2016. If we assume that your income has risen alongside just median household income over that time period, your monthly payment as a share of your income today is probably sub 8 percent.If you bought over the past three years, your monthly payment is a share of your income. You mentioned some numbers earlier. It's low to mid 20 percent. From a dollar amount perspective, if you were to pay off that 2016 mortgage, as an example, and take out one today, your payment is probably [$]13[00] or $1400 higher. It's like a 200 percent increase. That's very difficult economically for a lot of households, and that's the kind of physical manifestation of that lock-in effect.Now, Sarah, given this significant change in housing math, what does that mean for who is actually able to buy in this market?Sarah Wolfe: It's making who's able to buy into the market a lot more selective. So, what we're seeing is that first-time home buyers today are actually not meaningfully older. They're still about 36 years old, but they are a much more selective group financially. The Federal Reserve Bank of New York put out a great analysis on this recently, and they basically found that the first-time home buyer profile today is taking out a mortgage that's nearly $350,000, compared to $240,000 in 2019 and $200,000, a decade ago. So, significant increase in mortgage balances.At the same time, credit standards have tightened significantly, so that average credit score to get a mortgage has risen quite a bit over the last 5 to 10 years. And what this is doing is it's shifting who can buy and also where they can buy. So, we're seeing higher-quality home buyers moving to lower-income zip codes. So, buying cheaper homes in lower-income metro areas, and so it's wealthier buyers in lower-income areas.And that's the really big shift that we're seeing. It's a demand resorting story. And what we're also seeing, and we hear this a lot when we talk to our financial advisors and their clients, is that family is increasingly helping their other family members put that down payment down; in particular, parents helping their children buy that first home.So, we're seeing that first-time buyers may be feeling this pressure, right, when it comes to rates. How much of this affordability issue, though, is being driven by the locked-in effect specifically?James Egan: So, look, it's clearly playing a role. We just talked about some of the math behind that. But then when you look at what that means on a nationwide basis when it comes to inventory, when it comes to so many other aspects of this, that homeowner who's unwilling to give up that lower mortgage rate, that lower payment, right, their homes are off the market.Existing inventories for sale, they've picked up from historic lows in 2023, but they're still very, very low on a long-run basis. The fewer homes there are for sale, the more upward pressure or the absence of downward pressure that's going to put on home prices, right?We saw affordability plummet in 2022 and 2023 when rates backed up. We saw existing home sales really, really come down as a result. But home prices remained at record highs. They continued to set new record highs. For home prices to actually come down, right, you need people who are willing to sell at lower home prices.Sarah, you just mentioned that lending standards themselves remain tight.Sarah Wolfe: Mm-hmm.James Egan: Those forced sales, those tend to be distressed transactions. We don't see that distress in the market providing the inventory and the motivated inventory to lead to softer home prices. So, it's really that lack of inventory which we think is in large part driven by the lock-in effect that's kept home prices. And as a result, that piece of the affordability equation kind of stuck at these higher levels.Sarah Wolfe: I mean, it's really this vicious cycle, the locked-in effect making it difficult for entry-level buyers to get into the market – and then fewer existing homeowners sell or trade up or relocate. So, on and on it goes.Are there broader implications of this freeze?James Egan: Right. So, we just talked about what that means from an inventory perspective. And then if you think about affordability remaining challenged, lending standards themselves remaining tight, inventory remaining as low as it is, you could argue that we're at one of the more difficult times that we've seen for renters to exit rentership and step into homeownership.Now, there's a lot of different things that drive rent growth, and the fact that you have a stuck renter is just one of them. The other side of that equation can be the supply of rental units, right? So that's just a piece of the equation.But those are some of the externalities that we think about when it comes to how the tightness of the housing market – what the lock-in effect and what affordability is doing there. But outside of the housing market, Sarah, the wider economy, like how do these housing costs play a role there?Sarah Wolfe: Massive effect. Some of the work that we've done shows that housing affordability is the number one driver pushing down fertility rates in America. The number one driver. Above childcare costs, above finding a partner, finding a good job. It's housing affordability. So, you could see how that could pretty significantly ripple through the broader economy.But there's other components, right? So, as we discussed earlier, it's driving migration from unaffordable areas to more affordable regions. That has significant implications. And then putting my consumer economist hat on, as we discussed earlier in the podcast, when people buy a home, they tie themselves to that home. They spend money on couches, on beds, on TVs, right? Durable goods. And if we're going to have more people as renters for longer, that's going to expand the services economy at the expense of the goods economy.All right. Let's take a step back and think about where this is all going. It hasn't been a very optimistic conversation. Jim, what is the outlook for affordability in your view? Do we get anywhere back to the post-financial crisis period or even the pre-financial crisis period?James Egan: When it comes to the outlook for mortgage rates, the outlook for affordability, the outlook for the U.S. housing market – look, we just, throughout Morgan Stanley Research and Strategy, published our 2026 major outlook. From now through the end of 2027, we don't have conventional mortgage rates getting below 6 percent.We do have affordability improving on the margins. We have income growth exceeding home price appreciation that makes it a little bit better, but that doesn't get us back to the post-GFC affordability era, which was very, very affordable. Looking back over the past several decades, it gets us closer to where we were pre-GFC, not all the way back there.But when we think about how that ripples through the housing market and how we think about that evolving from here, look, we do think that the state of mortgage credit availability means there will be a lack of distress. We think that while affordability itself may be challenged and inventories may be low, there is some level of housing activity that has to occur regardless of where mortgage rates are or affordability is.We think we found that level. We think there's support for home sales at these current levels, and that combination of support for home sales, lack of inventory, means that home prices, very little room for them to grow from here. But we think they're going to be pretty supported.So, from a housing market perspective, at a ten-thousand-foot view, we're calling it 1-2 percent growth in sales, in home prices, well-supported. But the affordability outlook that we've outlined throughout this podcast – challenged to see a lot of acceleration.Now, when we pull it back to the first-time home buyer, based on our conversation, it seems that the key question is becoming less about when to buy, more about who can still afford to enter the market.But Sarah, it's really been great talking with you about the housing market today.Sarah Wolfe: It was great speaking with you, Jim.James Egan: And thanks for listening. If you enjoy Thoughts on the Market, please leave us a review wherever you listen and share the podcast with a friend or colleague today. ***Sarah Wolfe is a member of Morgan Stanley's Wealth Management Division and is not a member of Morgan Stanley's Research Department. Unless otherwise indicated, her views are her own and may differ from the views of the Morgan Stanley Research Department and from the views of others within Morgan Stanley.

Live from Cannes Lions, This is the Daily Brief from the LinkedIn Lounge. In this episode of The Daily Brief from the Linkedin Lounge, we dive into a massive piece of news that dropped yesterday: Instagram is launching a horizontal video hub on TVs. With YouTube already dominant in the living room, what does Meta's latest move mean for creators, audiences, and ad dollars? We debate whether Instagram can truly compete with YouTube's massive library, or if its cultural cachet gives it a unique edge. Plus, we take a look into the future of work and how the creative landscape is shifting. We discuss why creative work can't be done by committee, the rise of the "agentic layer" in AI workflow tools, and the surprising reason recent college graduates are pushing back against AI. Watch the full episode on Linkedin Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The RV industry is chasing the wrong generation. While manufacturers court 30-somethings with outdoor TVs and influencer campaigns, the buyers who are actually writing checks right now look nothing like the people in the ads.Last week I sat around a campfire in Hocking Hills, Ohio with 88 members of our RVCommunity. I asked how many had bought a new RV in the past year. Eleven hands went up. A 12th would have, but he was out on a six-mile hike. He was turning 70.That tells you everything the sales charts do not.In this episode we dig into who is really driving the RV market right now, what experienced RVers actually want that manufacturers keep missing, the quiet but alarming shift happening in our national parks, and a dramatic rescue on the Appalachian Trail that is a reminder of exactly why preparation matters out there.Read the companion blog post on RVing in the second half of life at RVLifestyle.com - link below.Here is the complete episode, start to finish.THE RV PODCAST - MONDAY NEWS EDITION Episode Air Date: Monday, June 23, 2026 - 6:00 AM Approx. Running Time: 25 Minutes Host: Mike WendlandTHE LAST GENERATION THAT KNOWS HOW TO TRAVEL ...and why the RV industry keeps ignoring themOPENLast week I was sitting around a campfire in Hocking Hills, Ohio, with about 50 members of our RVCommunity.com.I asked a simple question: how many of you have bought a brand new RV in the last year?Eleven hands went up. A 12th would have, but he was out on a six-mile sunset hike - and he was turning 70 that summer.This was happening while the RV industry is posting some of the worst wholesale shipment numbers in over a decade.Which raises a question the people running this industry ought to be asking themselves: who exactly are they building RVs for?Because I can tell you who is actually buying them. And they look nothing like the people in the ads.OPENINGGood morning and welcome to the RV Podcast Monday News Edition. I'm Mike Wendland.Eighteen Emmy Awards. Thirty-plus years covering everything from wars to the White House to consumer affairs. And for the past 15 years, living the RV lifestyle myself with my wife Jennifer in every type of rig you can imagine, coast to coast, all 48 contiguous states.Today's show is a little different. Instead of leading with a breaking story, I want to start with something I witnessed firsthand that I believe tells you more about the real state of the RV market than any press release you will read this year.And if you want to go deeper after you listen, I have been writing about this topic at RVLifestyle.com for the past several weeks. We have been exploring what it means to RV in the second half of life - the freedom, the community, the mindset, and yes, the ways the industry keeps getting it wrong. There is a link in the show notes. I think you will recognize yourself in it.Here is what is happening on the road. And here is what the industry is getting wrong. Let's get into it.LEAD STORY: THE LAST GENERATION THAT KNOWS HOW TO TRAVELThe RV industry is having a rough year. A really rough year. And the numbers tell the story fast, so let me give them to you and move on, because the real story is not the numbers. The real story is who is still out there buying and camping while those numbers grind downward.Wholesale shipments are down more than 13 percent through the first four months of 2026. Retail sales off 14 to 15 percent from last year. The industry's own forecast, just revised downward again this month, now projects this as one of the worst years for new RV sales in over a decade.So who is still buying?Here is what I can tell you from 15 years in this world and from what I saw last week in Hocking Hills. The people who are still writing checks for new RVs, right now, in the worst market in a decade, are the people the industry seems most determined to pretend do not exist.Baby Boomers. Older Gen Xers. People who grew up reading paper maps. Making reservations by phone. Talking to strangers when they got lost. Fixing things with their hands. Navigating real uncertainty with nothing but experience and nerve.According to industry research, Americans 50 and older remain the primary customer segment for RVs. Many are retirees fulfilling long-held travel dreams, and that population is still growing as the tail end of the baby boom ages into retirement. These are people with home equity, disposable income, and something even more valuable: the time and the confidence to actually use what they buy.And yet when you look at the ads. When you watch the Go RVing campaigns. When you walk the floor of any major RV show and look at the marketing materials stacked at the booths. You see toned and trendy 30-year-olds doing yoga on the roof of a Class B. You see influencers with ring lights and perfect hair. What you do not see is the 68-year-old retired engineer who just dropped $95,000 on a new fifth wheel and is headed to Alaska.That is a real blind spot. And I think it is costing the industry real money.Here is what I saw at our Hocking Hills rally. Eighty-eight people, ranging from their 50s into their 80s. Riding bikes and e-bikes and scooters. Hiking up and down some of the most spectacular terrain in the Midwest. One of our members, a retired RV technician, got under a fellow member's trailer and repacked the wheel bearings on the spot. Another couple spent an afternoon giving scooter lessons to anyone who wanted to learn.Nobody was stuck. Nobody was panicking. When something broke, someone fixed it. When someone needed help, someone helped them. These are people who grew up problem-solving before there was an app for it. And they brought every one of those skills out here.I asked how many had bought a new RV in the past year. Eleven hands went up. Twelve if you count the man who was out on a six-mile hike at 70 years old.This is happening while the industry chases 33-year-olds with solar panels and TikTok aesthetics.I am not saying younger buyers are not important. They are the future and we need them. But the marketing case being made inside RV boardrooms right now, that the 50-plus buyer is yesterday's news, is demonstrably wrong. And in a market this soft, you cannot afford to ignore your most reliable customer.I wrote about this at length over at RVLifestyle.com. It is part of an ongoing series we have been running on RVing in the second half of life. The link is in the show notes. If today's lead story speaks to you, that post will too.STORY 2: WHO IS ACTUALLY DRIVING THE MARKETThe demographic picture of who owns and buys RVs is more complicated than the ads suggest, and it is worth understanding.The median age of RV owners has come down in recent years. Younger buyers were absolutely part of the pandemic surge. Millennials and Gen Z now represent roughly 22 percent of RV owners - the same share as Baby Boomers - which tells you something about how quickly the demographics shifted during COVID.But here is what the industry sometimes misses in that data. Younger buyers came in during a period of historically low interest rates, flush pandemic savings, and work-from-home flexibility. Those conditions no longer exist. The buyers who are proving most resilient in this market are the ones who are not dependent on 7 percent financing to make the purchase work.Industry analyst Earl Hunter Jr., founder of The Unity Folks, put it bluntly in a recent trade publication outlook piece. He said the biggest trend in the RV industry right now is, simply, lack of growth. And that the industry has not figured out why emerging demographics and nontraditional consumers have little to no interest in the RV lifestyle.That is a real problem worth solving. But while the industry works on reaching new audiences, there is a generation of experienced, well-capitalized, deeply motivated buyers out on the road right now who built this market and are still carrying it. They deserve a little more respect than a supporting role in someone else's marketing story.STORY 3: WHAT EXPERIENCED RVers ACTUALLY WANT - AND WHAT MANUFACTURERS KEEP MISSINGI want to tell you one more thing from Hocking Hills, because I think it reveals something important about the disconnect between what the industry is building and what experienced RVers actually need.During our campfire conversation, I asked people what features they most use in their current rigs. What do they love. What they would change.Nobody mentioned outdoor TVs. Not one person. This is notable because outdoor entertainment has been one of the most aggressively marketed RV features of the last several years. Manufacturers have been loading up rigs with outdoor TVs, outdoor kitchens, outdoor speakers. The assumption is that RVers want to recreate the suburban living room experience outside.Our members were out hiking six miles. They were packed into a campfire circle talking to each other. They were fixing each other's trailers. The last thing they wanted was a television.What did they talk about wanting? Better towing stability. Improved service networks. Simpler systems that do not require a software update to turn on the hot water. Quality that lasts. And dealers who actually know the products they are selling.These are people with decades of RV miles behind them. They know exactly what they need and exactly what they do not. When you have that kind of experience, you stop being impressed by features and start being impressed by reliability.The industry could learn a lot by listening more carefully to the people who have been doing this the longest....

The Harmony Universal Remote was supposed to be the only controller you needed for all the devices in your life. So what happened? David Pierce is joined by The Verge's Nilay Patel and John Higgins, as well as Nest co-founder (and current Harmony user) Matt Rogers, to follow the Harmony's timeline from its origins as the "Easy Zapper," through Logitech's acquisition, all the way to its slow death at the hands of smart TVs. And their vastly inferior remotes. If you like the show, ⁠⁠follow the Version History audio podcast feed⁠⁠ to get every new episode. Version History is also on video! Check us out on YouTube. ⁠Subscribe to The Verge⁠ for unlimited access to ⁠theverge.com⁠, subscriber-exclusive newsletters, and our ⁠ad-free podcast feed⁠. We love hearing from you! Email your questions and thoughts to ⁠vergecast@theverge.com⁠ or call us at 866-VERGE11. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On today's show we take a look at the new Apple CarPlay Ultra. And with the high cost of streaming these days, we give you our pick for the one streaming service that you should keep. We also read your emails and look at the week's news. News: Fox Is Buying Roku in $22 Billion Deal Gemini can now adjust your picture settings on Google TV Blink Just Launched Its First Doorbell With 2K Video — And It's Only $50 AWOL Vision Expands Home Entertainment Portfolio Apple's New CarPlay Ultra A listener sent us a link to: I tried Apple CarPlay Ultra and now everything else feels outdated. The author felt that CarPlay Ultra just made every other in-car system feel clunky – and after testing it in an Aston Martin DBX, I don't want to drive without it. So why is he so excited about this update? Main Takeaways from the Article: CarPlay Ultra is a full dashboard takeover: Unlike standard CarPlay (which only handles the central screen), this next-gen version extends seamlessly across all screens — including the instrument cluster, driver display, and center infotainment. It creates one unified, cohesive Apple-style interface for the entire driving experience. New design and customization with brand personality preserved: Tested in an Aston Martin DBX, it delivers crisp fonts, smooth performance, glanceable widgets (music, navigation, tire pressure, etc.), and deep customization. Aston Martin added brand-specific touches (e.g., custom dials with the wings logo, green colorway, and vehicle bird's-eye view) while keeping Apple's polish. Complete vehicle controls inside one UI: You can adjust climate, suspension, driver assists, drive modes, fuel/range info, radio, and more without switching to the car's native system. A clever "punch through" feature seamlessly jumps to the manufacturer's menus for unsupported controls (like ambient lighting) and returns instantly. Highly intuitive and responsive: Steering wheel controls let you swipe between views hands-free. Everything feels fast with zero lag, making it feel like a natural extension of the car rather than a bolted-on phone interface. Safety net if phone disconnects: Core driving info (speedo, critical gauges) runs locally and stays active. Navigation/media/apps resume seamlessly upon reconnection. Availability and future rollout: Currently live on high-end Aston Martins (with over-the-air or dealer updates for compatible models like DBX/DB12). More brands (Porsche, Mercedes, Polestar, and eventually affordable ones) are coming soon. Overall verdict: The reviewer says it makes every other in-car system (including their own Android Auto) feel clunky and outdated. It's not just visual — it fundamentally improves the driving experience, and they "never want to drive without it again." Netflix: The Best Single Streaming Service to Keep in 2026 With so many streamers out there costing us hundreds a year it has become expensive to watch TV. We asked ourselves, "If we had to pick only one streamer which one would it be?" And that streamer is - Netflix Why Netflix Wins for Most People Biggest variety and library — Massive catalog of originals (hit shows like Stranger Things, Bridgerton, Wednesday, etc.), licensed movies/TV, international content, documentaries, and new releases. It has something for almost every taste and mood. Excellent discovery tools — Strong recommendation algorithm that gets better the more you watch, making it easy to find what you'll like without wasting time. Reliable and polished — Simple, fast interface that works great on any device (smart TVs, phones, tablets, streaming sticks, etc.). Consistent quality and frequent new content. Other strong contenders fall short in our "one service only" scenario: Disney+ — Fantastic for families, Marvel, Star Wars, Pixar — but narrower overall appeal. Prime Video — Great value if you already shop on Amazon (and it comes with Prime perks), but the core streaming library feels less essential alone. HBO Max — Strong prestige dramas and movies, but smaller overall selection. Apple TV+ — Highest production quality per show, but much smaller library. Bottom line: Netflix gives you the broadest entertainment bang for your buck and the least chance of getting bored quickly. It's the safest "one and done" choice for a general audience in 2026.

On today's episode, host Kate Lindsay is joined by Slate staff writer Nitish Pawha to discuss his piece “Your TV Is Not Safe.” Apps like Instagram, Substack, and Spotify are making the leap from smart phones to smart TVs, as TVs attempt to compete against scrolling, and the nature of entertainment is changing. But giving over our TVs to these companies even further changes our relationships with technology, and even more, how we spend time with each other. This podcast is produced by Vic Whitley-Berry, Daisy Rosario, and Kate Lindsay, with help from A.C. Valdez. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On today's episode, host Kate Lindsay is joined by Slate staff writer Nitish Pawha to discuss his piece “Your TV Is Not Safe.” Apps like Instagram, Substack, and Spotify are making the leap from smart phones to smart TVs, as TVs attempt to compete against scrolling, and the nature of entertainment is changing. But giving over our TVs to these companies even further changes our relationships with technology, and even more, how we spend time with each other. This podcast is produced by Vic Whitley-Berry, Daisy Rosario, and Kate Lindsay, with help from A.C. Valdez. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Three red cards, five goals across two matches, and a goose wearing a Mexico shirt. Ladies and gents, we've got our World Cup back.Marcus, Pete & Vish discuss the opening games of the tournament, preceded by a bizarre collaboration between Andrea Bocelli and K-Pop Demon Hunters singer Ejae. Plus, Vish is baffled by the very concept of an axolotl, Marcus still gets his TVs from Comet, and "big swinging” Dick Advocaat gets his boys onboard a cranky school bus.Get your Ramble World Cup watch party tickets hereFind us on Bluesky, X, Instagram, TikTok and YouTube, and email us here: show@footballramble.com.Sign up to the Football Ramble Patreon for ad-free shows for just $5 per month: https://www.patreon.com/footballramble.***Please take the time to rate us on your podcast app. It means a great deal to the show and will make it easier for other potential listeners to find us. Thanks!*** The Football Ramble, the original and best football podcast. Brand new podcasts every single weekday throughout the Premier League season and every day throughout the 2026 FIFA World Cup.No cliches. No ex-pros like Peter Crouch or The Rest is Football. Just the funniest football conversation out there. Your guardian for the season, daily not weekly. Stick to the Ramble, totally. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.